Marist goal kicker Mitchell Millar joined the 100 points club for season 2017 on Saturday.
McCarthy's Transport Ruapehu dug deep into the mud of Rochfort Park to grind out their second crucial Tasman Tanning Premier victory in as many weeks, winning a war of attrition with northern neighbours PGG Wrightson/Balance Taihape 17-3 on Saturday.
The game played closest to the winter solstice was a cold and wet affair under the mountain, with Ruapehu's victory moving them up into the second home semifinal position with three weeks remaining, while Taihape fell from second to fifth on the compacted table and will have a very tough ask to hang on and make the playoffs.
Black Bull Liquor Pirates thrashing Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau moved them up to fourth, and while both Pirates and Taihape still have to take a bye in the remaining four weeks - the Pirates pathway is much easier.
They have Harvey Round Motors Ratana and Utiku Old Boys as their remaining opponents, whereas Taihape must face leaders Waverley Harvesting Border and third placed Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist.
In Ohakune on Saturday, it was always going to be a defence-orientated, forward-dominated affair for Taihape's Grand Hotel Challenge Shield defence, as Ruapehu's returning forwards from the Ranfurly Shield game in Karl Parker and Peter Rowe scored their team's tries in the first half - book-ending three points from Taihape's representative player Dane Whale for 14-3 at halftime.
It would then be a stalemate until late in the fourth quarter when Ruapehu landed a penalty kick through Shaquille Waara to make the game safe.
Marist kept third spot on the ladder with a comfortable 50-5 win over Ratana at the Pa, as the game stayed competitive in the first half, Marist eventually leading 19-0, before pulling away in the second stanza.
Marek Willis scored two of Marist's eight tries, while Mitchell Millar's five conversions made him the fourth player to break 100 points in Premier this season, joining Border's Nick Harding (127), Pirates' Junior Ainea (112) and Whale (103).
Utiku Old Boys are always a tough prospect to play at home, as Settlers Honey Ngamatapouri discovered after their long 187km trip to Memorial Park, holding on for a 19-11 victory.
The visitors would open the scoring and ultimately get two converted tries in the first half, but the home side stayed with them through a try by Mark Farrell and two penalties to Austrian test player Max Navas to trail 14-11 at the break.
Ngamatapouri would add the only points of the second half, their tries coming from fullback Carlwyn Riddles, No8 Bryn Hudson and utility back Emosi Vucago.
In Senior rugby, Speirs Food Marton headed to Spriggens Park for likely what would be their toughest test - playing a confident Marist Celtic at home - and they emerged with a 16-0 win in cold conditions to retain their unbeaten record.
It was the first time this season that Marton have not picked up a four-try bonus point, as they were looking to crack Celtic one more time late in the match but were held back.
There was a minor upset at McNab Domain as Counties gave themselves a shot in the arm by beating Pirates 12-10 in Upokongaro, while Kelso Hunterville kept tabs on Celtic in second place with a comfortable home win over neighbours Taihape 38-0.
It was the final weekend of round-robin for Senior consolation, with Border finishing top of the group by holding on for a 17-14 win over Ruapehu at Dallison Park.
The Consolation grade will now play straight semifinals amongst its four teams next weekend before wrapping up on July 8, with Border's win on Saturday setting up the prospect of another clash with Ruapehu in Waverley.
Results, June 24
Tasman Tanning Premier, Week 15
Black Bull Liquor Pirates 74 (Raymond Epati 4, Tafulu Isaako 2, Mene Taufa'asau, Siulagi Lafi, Denning Tyrell, Vaovasa Afa'sua, Fa'alele Iosua, Clive Stowers tries; Iosua 7 con) bt Kaierau 0. HT: 36-0.
Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist 50 (Marek Willis 2, Ryan Gill, Patrick Parker, Luke Foster, Josaiah Vogileka, Elijah Ah Chong, Steelie Koro tries; Mitchell Millar 5 con) bt Harvey Round Motors Ratana 5 (Cornel Mason try). HT: 19-0.
Settlers Honey Ngamatapouri 19 (Carlwyn Riddles, Bryn Hudson, Emosi Vucago tries; Te Tua Kemp 2 con) bt Utiku OB 11 (Mark Farrell try, Max Navas 2 pen). HT: 14-11.
Grand Hotel Challenge Shield - McCarthy Transport Ruapehu 17 (Karl Parker, Peter Rowe tries; Shaquille Waara pen, Cruz Pene 2 con) bt PGG Wrightson/Balance Taihape 3 (Dane Whale pen). HT: 14-3.
Bye: Waverley Harvesting Border.
Senior Championship
Stihl Shop Wanganui Challenge Shield - Speirs Food Marton bt Celtic 16-0. HT: 11-0.
Kelso Hunterville bt Taihape 38-0. HT: 19-0.
Counties bt Pirates 12-10.
Senior Consolation
Border bt Ruapehu 17-14. HT: 10-3.
Byes: Kaierau and Buffalos.