Fraser Middleton vs Marist
The 2016 Tasman Tanning Premiership is looking like Waverley Harvesting Border's to win or lose as their road to the semifinals took in a second comprehensive scoreline over a fellow Top 4 side in as many weeks.
Border pulled away from Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist at Spriggens Park in a 43-18 victory, leaving Marist a little nervous with McCarthy's Transport Ruapehu continuing their late climb to close within two points of third spot.
Having defeated second-placed PGG Wrightson/Balance Taihape three weeks ago, Marist would much rather secure third with an away victory over Utiku Old Boys this coming Saturday, then go back to Memorial Park the following week for the semifinals.
In a game which also matched up the two MVP season points leaders, Border fullback Nick Harding was back on deck and kicked well, moving just ahead of Marist flanker Ryan Gill in the standings.
However, that crown is by no means secure with Ruapehu's Roman Tutauha having a great run of form whether at hooker or second-five, climbing up to third position with one round to play.
Border first-five James Forsyth scored a double, while No8 Renato Tikoilosomone was strong again, with Marist's best being prop Viki Tofa and lock Lake Ah Chong.
Marist expectations of a clear cut win over Utiku will not be assured as the home team pulled the upset of the round to beat Black Bull Liquor Pirates 38-29 at Memorial Park.
Despite Pirates having been in some late season form, the loss was another big blow to the 2015 champions self-esteem, after they were leading at halftime but were out-played in the second stanza.
Utiku first-five Callum Crellin had a big match with 23 points and flanker Vernon Rudolph was also strong, while Pirates prop Tololi Moala and flanker Pene Ulukuta were the pick of their team.
Ruapehu will be licking their chops at the prospect of this weekend's clash as Harvey Round Motors Ratana were smashed for the third straight week in a 66-12 demolition by Taihape at Memorial Park.
No doubt stung from last weekend's poor performance against Border, Taihape ran in ten tries, converting eight, with lock Hamish Bennett and outside back Sefo Bourke grabbing doubles.
In a tense final round of the Senior Championship, there were four teams in the firing line with one to miss the quarterfinals and it was Ruapehu who will miss out after going down 29-5 to home team Speirs Food Marton - meaning neither the defending Premier or Senior champions will make the playoffs this season.
Despite the fact that Taihape were slaughtered 60-5 playing away to Kelso Hunterville, having now conceded 203 points in three games, they still finished eighth by virtue of their 23-22 win over Ruapehu way back on the second weekend of games.
The unlucky Ruapehu would also rue their Round 3 match with bottom ranked Utiku Old Boys, which was ruled a draw due to being called off when an Utiku player was seriously injured and eventually removed from the field by helicopter.
Utiku won't have the wooden spoon however, as last year's Consolation title winners Pirates defaulted for the third straight week, this time with Counties being the recipients, and have given up their season.
Playing for their own survival, Border got up for seventh place in a 17-17 draw with Marist Celtic at Spriggens Park, which was Celtic's second stalemate in as many weeks.
The draw allowed Hunterville to leapfrog Celtic into third, which leaves the Marist team with probably the toughest quarterfinal as Counties have finished the season strong.
Kaierau stayed in sixth spot, but it was through no part of their own efforts as Settlers Honey Ngamatapouri confirmed this remains a one-horse race with a 94-0 slaughter in front of sad home team supporters at the Country Club, in Ngamatapouri's biggest scoreline yet.
After winning the Stihl Shop Wanganui Challenge Shield in the first match with Hunterville, Ngamatapouri have held it through an undefeated season where the only thing they didn't do was rack up a century in a game - but it was not through lack of trying with 645 points scored in 10 played matches plus two defaults.
The quarterfinal placings are all set for this weekend, with Ngamatapouri eyeing up Taihape, while Marton will be home to a Border team who were competitive against them a fortnight ago.
Perennial contenders Hunterville face a struggling Kaierau, while Marist Celtic will have to dig in to overcome Counties.
There are three teams left out of five to carry on for the Consolation title, as Ruapehu will host Utiku Old Boys, while Marist Buffalo's take a bye.