Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist's shot at a Tasman Tanning Premier title in its centennial year was deflected by a brave and determined McCarthy Transport Ruapehu on a slippery Spriggens Park on Saturday.
Match favourites Marist looked to have the visitors shot to pieces with 10 minutes to left on the clock with a 9-3 lead and play going their way.
However, a huge lift in intensity from Ruapehu resulted in a late pushover forward try with replacement prop Grabriel Hakaraia dotting down under the posts. Centre Craig Clare made no mistake with the conversion to seal the 10-9 upset.
Both sides appeared to be frightened of each others' shadows in the first half as they tested the water and that produced some mediocre rugby at best, although Marist probably showed a tad more enterprise.
Fourteen minutes into the match veteran No8 Fraser Hammond, who was returning from injury, breached the Marist line only to be nabbed for a knock-on. It wasn't until the 22 minute mark that the first points were scored through a Ruapehu penalty slotted by centre Craig Clare. The scoreboard showed 3-0 to Ruapehu.
Clare too had just returned form injury and he and Hammond were pivotal players for the visitors with strong performances from Roman Tutauha, Jackson Campbell and, of course, Hakaraia.
Ruapehu had first use of the wind in their favour, but wasted possession with aimless kicks, This played into the hands of talented Marist fullback Cam Crowley who produced some piercing runs into enemy territory.
A crucial moment came just before half time when Ruapehu infringed giving Marist the advantage and Mitchell Millar broke through for what surely would have been defining try when the whistle blew.
The referee marched them across the field and made his call, but then the assistant ref had his say. Whatever the discussion was between the ref and line umpire, or the reason for it, was not made clear, but it certainly puzzled the spectators.
Yet another crucial moment arrived when Marist was awarded a penalty six or seven metres out from the posts minutes before half time and elected to take the tap, except Viki Tofa failed to tap making what appeared to be a dummy run leaving a team mate to carry the ball. The ref justifiably blew it up and called half time with Ruapehu still ahead 3-nil.
Crowley, winger Elijah Ah Chong, first-five Millar and powerful No8 Taione Patu stood out for Marist.
Three successive penalties by Ruapehu were all slotted by Millar, including one at long range with the wind behind him and one after Tofa redeemed himself somewhat winning a battle with his opposite number in the front row. The scoreline was soon 9-3.
In the final 10 minutes Ruapehu finally made it into Marist territory and the intensity suddenly lifted. There was finally some urgency in the Ruapehu attack. The visitors even backed themselves in scrums rather than take penalties awarded, but then a converted try was required to take the lead.
After an intense push Hakaraia crashed over with help for his fellow forwards and the lead went to the underdogs.
Marist was then hot on attack in the dying stages winning a penalty near the halfway. Millar shaped up, but missed giving Ruapehu the win.
A surprised, but delighted Ruapehu coach Daisy Alabaster said he had nearly given up hope of victory with 25 minutes to go.
"I thought we were gone with 25 to go, but then they got a sniff. We are known for never giving up and to their credit they pushed hard," Alabaster said.
"At the break we talked about kicking possession away and that stopped in the second spell. I'm absolutely rapt we made the final. Having Craig and Fraser back made an impact."
Meanwhile, Marist coach Jason Hamlin, while bitterly disappointed, was fairly philosophical.
"It was all we could ask of a semi, we couldn't ask for better rugby - both teams playing to their strengths. All it came down to was one kick. If that last one had gone over it would have been a completely different story," Hamlin said.
Marist manager Darryl Dowman said the club's centennial season was more likely to end in beers than tears.
Ruapehu 10 (Gabriel Hakaraia try; Craig Clare pen, con) by Marist 9 (Mitchell Millar 3pen).