Home-town disadvantage for hosts

MVP LEADER: Nick Harding has been in top form so far for Border, as seen in their big win over Utiku Old Boys on Saturday. PHOTO/SARAH LOURIE.

PGG Wrightson/Balance Taihape and Waverley Harvesting Border remain the only unbeaten teams in Tasman Tanning Premier on a Saturday where all the visiting teams inflicted demoralising defeat on their hosts across the region.

At Rochfort Park, Taihape confirmed their squad's form remains on par with last year, whereas McCarthy Transport Ruapehu could be in real trouble after they suffered a 48-0 mauling.

Leading 12-0 late in the first half, Taihape ran away from their understrength opposition to pick up just their second win in 25 games between the clubs.

Fullback Glen Horton returned as one of the seven tryscorers, with Taihape also getting a penalty try.

The Grand Hotel Challenge Shield stayed with Border as they racked up a comprehensive 57-14 win over Utiku Old Boys at Memorial Park.

Up 24-7 early on, Border also kept their foot on the gas in the back end of the game, with first-five James Forsythe scoring two of their nine tries and fullback Nick Harding added another 17 points to his season tally in his second straight MVP performance.

Stung by the embarrassing loss to Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist, Black Rum Liquor Pirates rebounded with a 60-24 smashing of Harvey Round Motors Ratana at the Pa.

After a tight start where both teams scored two tries, Pirates cut lose approaching halftime with winger Clive Stowers already on a hat trick to lead 34-14.

Stowers would add his fourth try in the second stanza, while joining the team this game, Tarino Tamura got a double.

Ratana scored four tries to at least salvage a bonus point and leave Ruapehu languishing at the bottom of the table.

There was still worrying times for the Ratana club as for the second weekend their senior team defaulted.

With title favourites Settlers Honey Ngamatapouri on the bye, Saturday was a chance to see which teams could emerge to challenge them and Speirs Food Marton made a big statement as they came from behind at halftime to hand Kelso Hunterville a very rare consecutive loss, 28-10 at Marton Park.

Marist Celtic maintained their spot on top of the table with a 34-10 win over Counties on the Racecourse field, with Kaierau getting their first victory on the field after last week's Ratana default by holding off Marist Buffalo's 28-22 at Spriggens Park.

Border and the returning Taihape had one-point victories over Utiku Old Boys and Ruapehu respectively, with Taihape scoring right in the dying seconds in Ohakune.