It's all about belief and consistency from within.
At the start of Premier rugby 2013, any pundit who stuck their head above the parapet to suggest by the second round that Taihape and Marton would be playing for a spot in the top four would have been an easy target.
But in a competition which underneath the headline team Ruapehu has offered a wild departure from previously established orders, these two teams have been the big improvers.
With some new talent in the playmaking department, plus renewed drive from some veteran forwards, Marton have given almost everyone a headache while claiming four scalps.
Taihape have had a remarkable year given the tight nature of their campaign with the exception of their loss to Ruapehu on May 11 every game against opposition at both ends of the table has been a tussle, including no less than three draws with Pirates, Utiku Old Boys and Ratana.
Even Wanganui's statistician guru JB Phillips could not remember the last time a side had three draws at this stage of the season.
The young side under new coach Kerry Whale may not have the strike power of other teams, but they can match it with anyone and are helped undoubtedly by the boot of fullback Luke Whale.
Near the top of the points' scorers' list, it was Whale's kicking that kept Taihape deadlocked with Ratana last Saturday, and what lifted them to a 23-21 win over Marton in their first clash on March 30.
In both games, the opposition scored more tries.
"We were just unlucky last time we were up there. It's the first time I've ever seen Taihape so young," said Marton's first-season coach Cornel Mason.
Having beaten all teams below them, Marton's fifth placing is the first time in 13 years they have sat in the top six after round one.
"We had some goals at the start of the season. I said I wanted us to reach the top four, and a few guys started to laugh at it," Mason said.
He insisted to his players it was achievable if they could just be consistent "it's something they've got to get use, too".
"It's a buzz; the town seems to be coming together."
Mason knew it would be even more achievable when he first heard whispers of first-five Taukiri Manawatu's transfer into the district after playing premier rugby in Palmerston North.
Manawatu understands how to run the cutter, while outside him Lote Aloa has carved up several backlines to the point Mason scratched his head over Aloa's omission from the Steelform Wanganui squad this week.
Young halfback Tyler Rogers-Holden who has been covering an injured Manawatu in recent weeks is another standout, while loose forward Chris Rayner now has the pack support to shine.
In the other games this weekend, Pirates have a home derby with Marist, while Ratana and Kaierau two teams which were firmly ensconced in the top six last year will be hunting a desperately needed win.
Utiku Old Boys have the unenviable task of hosting Ruapehu in Taihape.