The weather gods and the Rangitikei District Council have had a big bearing on the current makeup of the Wanganui Premier and Senior rugby competitions, with two games postponed and a third transferred on Saturday.
Because of heavy wet conditions the council ruled out the use of three grounds, so the key Premier game at Memorial Park between Taihape and Kaierau, sitting fourth and fifth on the table, was postponed.
Likewise, Senior competition first-round winner Hunterville had their match with Kaierau postponed.
The Premier matchup scheduled for Marton Park was moved over to Bulls, with Marton pulling out an important 16-6 win over Utiku Old Boys, which lifts them ahead of the in-limbo Kaierau and within striking distance of fourth-placed Taihape, although both technically have a game in hand.
Wanganui Rugby Football Union club administrator JB Phillips said the operations committee of the Council of Clubs would decide this week if the postponed games are re-scheduled or if the four teams split the competition points.
While not playing the Hunterville v Kaierau senior game won't affect the standings of the top six championship group or the bottom six consolation group, it could have a bearing on which teams get home semifinals at the end of the season.
The Premier scenario is more complicated, given Taihape, Marton and Kaierau are all neighbours on the points table, now jostling for that coveted fourth place.
In the games played, Marton's tries in each half from halfback Tyler Rogers-Holden and big midfielder Lote Tauailoto proved the difference against Utiku Old Boys.
In a tight affair, it was the forwards who came away with the praise from the MVP points allocations.
Up in Waverley, the prominent back three of fullback Fraser Middleton and wingers Aaron Yadiga and Sailosi Naqiso were all on song as Border ran away with the match against Ratana, 62-7.
Yadiga grabbed a hat-trick of tries while halfback Lindsay Horrocks got a double, combining for half the tries scored by the South Taranaki team.
In Senior rugby, the Stihl Shop Wanganui Challenge Shield will be contested among the top six teams after Counties got home 17-10 against Marton at the McNab Domain.
That means the shield has changed hands four times in as many weeks.
Up in a drizzly Ohakune, Ruapehu made Utiku OBs' afternoon a misery with an 84-0 flogging.
As well as closing up with the non-playing Hunterville, Ruapehu stay a step ahead of Celtic, Counties and Pirates, who all picked up wins on Saturday.
Results, June 22:
Tasman Tanning Premier, Week 13
Grand Hotel Challenge Shield McCarthy's Ruapehu 28 (Andrew Evans, Nick Cranston, Robert Hughes tries, Tautahi Rawiri 3 pen, 2 con) bt Integrity Motors Pirates 6 (Josh Marwick 2 pen). HT: 13-6.
Waverley Harvesting Border 62 (Aaron Yadiga 3, Lindsay Horrocks 2, Andrew Retallick, Liam Richardson, Cole Baldwin, Andy Hamilton, Mark Davis tries, Davis 6 con) bt Ratana 7 (Kapene Paki try, Caleb Maraku con). HT: 31-0.
Marton 16 (Tyler Rogers-Holden, Lote Tauailoto tries, Tauailoto 2 pen) bt Utiku OB 6 (Te Rangi Tapu McLeod 2 pen). HT: 5-3.
Taihape v Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau postponed.
Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist bye.
Grand Hotel Premier MVP Points
At Ohakune Nick Cranston (Ruapehu lock) 3 points, George Williams (Ruapehu first five) 2, Samu Eteuati (Pirates centre) 1.
At Waverley Sailosi Naqiso (Border winger) 3, Fraser Middleton (Border fullback) 2, Cole Baldwin (Border hooker) 1.
At Bulls Sefonatai (Marton lock) 3, James Maher (Utiku OB No 8) 2, Mark Jones (Marton hooker) 1.
Leading Premier MVP Points Lasa Ulukuta (Pirates) 19, Middleton 16, Faamanu Manutuhiha (Marton) and Jason Hughes (Ruapehu) 9, Mark Davis (Border) 8 , Shaun Hawira and Peter Rowe (Ruapehu), Ihaia Tai and Vaan Rauhina (Ratana) 7, Soonalote Tauailoto (Marton), Isaac Fonotoe (Ratana), Junior Tume (Pirates), Naqiso 6, Ace Malo (Kaierau), Travis Bartels (Marist), Denning Tyrell (Pirates), Jaye Flaws and Wiremu Wipaki (Taihape), Cranston 5.
Senior Championship, Week 11 (End of Round One)
At Spriggens Park Trans Pacific Pirates bt Marist 18-10. HT: 8-3.
At Spriggens Park Celtic bt Taihape 37-5.
At Waverley Border bt St John's Tech 47-14. HT: 32-0.
At McNab Domain, Kaiwhaiki (Stihl Shop Wanganui Challenge Shield) Counties 17, Marton 10. HT: 10-7.
At Ohakune Ruapehu bt Utiku OB 84-0. HT: 36-0.
At Hunterville Power Farming (PN) Hunterville v Kaierau postponed.