The usual suspects of the Premier top three all comfortably disposed of their weekend assignments with Ruapehu and Border having satisfactory hitouts ahead of their next big clash in Waverley this Saturday.
Meanwhile, Taihape's round two doldrums continue and they will head into a thoughtful bye this week after getting steamrolled in Ohakune 48-7, being outscored eight tries to one.
Ruapehu's all-Wanganui representative forward pack took charge to give their team a 17-0 advantage through tries to Kim McNaught, Robert Hughes and Karl Parker. Returning from injury, Fraser Hammond would add a fourth before the break while Taihape managed a sole reply to Matiu Teepa.
Ruapehu's pack dominance continued in the second stanza with Logan Vaughan being the only back to get on the try sheet McNaught added a double while captain Peter Rowe and flanker Andrew Evans also crossed.
Back in Taihape, Pirates were determined to prove their round one great escape against Utiku Old Boys was an aberration and six tries to one delivered on that thought, 40-8.
Centre Enesu Seloti scored a double before halftime, with Lasa Ulukuta, Manulua Lafi, Brett Turner and Gordon Karaitiana adding second-half five-pointers.
With two weeks left in regular season, Ulukuta is looking the strong favourite for the MVP honours, opening up a four-point lead over Border fullback Fraser Middleton.
Middleton's Border team got the result they were looking for during what is never an easy trip in Marton, scoring four tries in the 29-3 win over the home side.
Again giving away a nervous start, Border turned around a 3-0 deficit with a try to in-form halfback Lindsay Horrocks.
Up by seven at halftime, Border ran in tries to Sailosi Naqiso, Lance Devane, Kampeli Latu as they look ahead to another tilt at Ruapehu's dominance, this time on home soil.
Despite successive heavy losses, Marton still have a chance to snatch fourth spot from Taihape, who sit with their potential game in hand with Kaierau.
While playing a home again, Marton is likely to find opposition Marist a stronger team than the side they thumped 27-5 at Spriggens Park in May.
In Senior championship rugby, Hunterville righted their sole wrong for season 2013 by holding off Celtic in the second half to win 20-10, this time successfully defending the Stihl Shop Wanganui Challenge Shield which shot through six pairs of hands after they originally lost it to Celtic in May.
Ruapehu had a harder challenge from Taihape than their Premier team faced, but still prevailed 20-13.
The consolation round sees Marton on top of the pack after their 24-17 win over Border.
Wanganui rugby results.-
Tasman Tanning Premier, (Week 16)
Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist 21 (Mohi Waihi, Matt Neilson, Grayson Tihema tries, Sean Brown 3 con) bt Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau 10 (penalty try, Ace Malo pen, con). HT: 7-3.
Waverley Harvesting Border 29 (Lindsay Horrocks, Sailosi Naqiso, Lance Devane, Kampeli Latu tries, Mark Davis pen, 3 con) bt Marton 3 (Soonalote Tauailoto pen). HT: 10-3.
Grand Hotel Challenge Shield
McCarthy's Ruapehu 48 (Kim McNaught 2, Robert Hughes, Karl Parker, Fraser Hammond, Peter Rowe, Logan Vaughan, Andrew Evans tries, Zyon Hekenui 4 con) bt Taihape 7 (Matiu Teepa try, Luke Whale con). HT: 24-7.
Integrity Motors Pirates 40 (Enesu Seloti 2, Lasa Ulukuta, Manulua Lafi, Brett Turner, Gordon Karaitiana tries, Josh Marwick 5 con) bt Utiku OB 8 (Dylan Ratana try, Te Rangi Tapu McLeod pen). HT: 14-3.
Bye: Harvey Round Motors Ratana.
Grand Irish Bar Premier MVP Points (Week 16)
At Spriggens Park Aiden Fitzgerald (Marist lock) 3 points, Ace Malo (Kaierau fullback) 2, Bradley Graham (Marist flanker) 1.
At Marton Park Kamipeli Latu (Border prop) 3, Sam Madams (Border lock) 2, Soonalote Tauailoto (Marton centre) 1.
At Ohakune George Williams (Ruapehu first five) 3, Logan Vaughan (Ruapehu second five) 2, Kim McNaught (Ruapehu prop) 1.
At Taihape Enesu Seloti (Pirates centre) 3, Lasa Ulukuta (Pirates No 8) 2, Tim Stevenson (Utiku OB lock) 1.
Leading MVP Points: Ulukuta 23 points, Fraser Middleton (Border) 19, Faamanu Manutuhiha (Marton), Isaac Fonotoe (Ratana), Peter Rowe and Jason Hughes (Ruapehu) 9, Mark Davis (Border) 8, Shaun Hawira (Ruapehu), Sam Madams (Border), Ace Malo (Kaierau), Ihaia Tai and Vaan Rauhina (Ratana), Soonalote Tauailoto (Marton) 7, Denning Tyrell and Junior Tume (Pirates), Cole Baldwin and Sailosi Naqiso (Border), Roman Tutauha, George Williams and Logan Vaughan (Ruapehu) 6.
Senior championship (Week 14)
At McNab Domain, Kaiwhaiki Counties bt Pirates 31-5. HT: 28-5.
At Hunterville (Stihl Shop Wanganui Challenge Shield) Power Farming (PN) Hunterville bt Celtic 20-10. HT: 17-0.
At Ohakune Ruapehu bt Taihape 20-13. HT: 10-all.
Senior consolation (Week 14)
At Spriggens Park Marist Buffalo's bt Kaierau 48-5. HT: 28-0.
At Racecourse St John's Tech drew with Utiku OB 14-14. HT: 11-0 Tech.
At Marton Park Marton bt Border 24-17. HT: 12-8.