The Grand Hotel Challenge Shield has a new home and Border have made a big statement in their opening game of the premier competition after a one-point thriller at Spriggens Park on Saturday.
Outscored two tries to one, Border held their slender lead from the first half through the boot of first-five Mark Davis, with both sides trading seven pointers in the arm wrestle of the second stanza.
Their chances were not helped when referee Sean Moore gave first-five Denning Tyrell the yellow card for a high tackle.
For Border, the win was sweet as Pirates kept the shield away from them in the round robin match at Spriggens Park last year.
At Memorial Park, Marist held off Utiku Old Boys for a ten-point win, while Taihape went to Ratana and for the second weekend in a row eked out a two-point win.
Senior rugby also opened on the weekend with Pirates, Celtic, Hunterville, Marist and Kaierau all securing first-up wins.
RESULTS
Tasman Tanning Premier, Round 2.
Grand Hotel Challenge Shield Waverley Harvesting Border 16 (Aaron Yadiga try, Mark Davis 3 pen, con) beat Integrity Motors Pirates 15 (Aisea Vaivela, Josh Navitio tries, Denning Tyrell pen, con). HT: 9-8 Border.
Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist 17 (Mohi Waihi, Grayson Tihema, Kent Rivers tries, Scott Dowman con) beat Utiku OB 7 (Matt Crawford try, Dylan Ratana con). HT: 17-0.
Taihape 24 (Jaye Flaws 2, Rimu Wipaki tries, Luke Whale 3 pen) beat Harvey Round Motors Ratana 22 (Western Hemi, Alex Forsyth, Kane Tamou tries, Hemi pen, 2 con). HT: 19-3.
McCarthy's Ruapehu 33 (Jason Hughes, Kim McNaught, Te Maire Hawira, Roman Tutauha, Tautahi Rawiri tries, Rawiri pen, Zyron Hekenui pen, con) beat Marton 15 (Moli Sagapolutere, Tyler Rogers-Holden tries, Jake Karaynidis pen, con). HT: 20-10.
Bye: Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau.
Grand Irish Bar MVP Points (Round 2)
At Spriggens Park Mark Davis (Border 1st five) 3, Lasa Ulukuta (Pirates No 8) 2, Aisea Vaivela (Pirates prop) 1.
At Memorial Park Vicky Tofa (Marist hooker) 3, Tim Stevenson (Utiku OB No 8) 2, Grayson Tihema (Marist winger) 1.
At Ratana Marcus Tottman (Taihape flanker) 3, Te Tua Kemp (Ratana 2nd five) 2, Charlie Mete (Ratana flanker) 1.
At Marton Park Shaun Hawira (Ruapehu lock) 3, Taukiri Manawatu (Marton 1st five) 2, Zyron Hekenui (Ruapehu fullback) 1.
Leaders (after two rounds: Shaun Hawira, Zyron Hekenui, Jason Hughes (Ruapehu), Ace Malo (Kaierau), Matt Thompson (Pirates), Fraser Bryant, Marcus Tottman (Taihape) 3 points.
Senior Championship, Round 1
At Spriggens Park, Marist 24 (1) beat St John's Tech 24-5. HT: 12-0.
At Racecourse, Trans Pacific Pirates 64 (1) beat Border 64-7. HT: 36-7.
At McNab Domain, Kaierau 24 beat Counties 12. HT: 14-7.
At Memorial Park, Taihape Celtic 43 (1) beat Utiku OB 6. HT: 12-6.
At Hunterville (Stihl Shop Wanganui Challenge Shield), Power Farming (PN) Hunterville (1) beat Ruapehu 30-7. HT: 15-0.
Bye: Taihape.