Looks like there's no easy answer for fourth

Ratana's near upset of Kaierau on Saturday suggests the fourth place spot in Wanganui's rugby semi-finals is by no means clearcut.
Probably on form before Saturday, one would expect Taihape to complete a win over Pirates and Marist to finish Ratana's hopes - meaning Taihape, two points behind Ratana at present, would join Kaierau, Marist and Ruapehu.
But a couple of things boost Ratana's case - if they can repeat Saturday's form, then a Marist win is no certainty, and secondly, with rep players training on Saturday morning, Marist may be short a couple of players such as Cameron Crowley, Sam Madams, etc.
So, as Taihape coach Parry Paringatai says, "It's come down to the nitty-gritty. We just have to concentrate on doing our thing, beating Pirates - we can't do anything about Ratana."
As it was on Saturday, Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau hung on 20-13 at Ratana, with a last-minute try boosting the lead, Taihape went down 47-6 to McCarthy Transport Ruapehu, Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist eased out to a 53-3 win over Utiku, and Pirates and Marton played some entertaining stuff at Spriggens Park before Pirates won 39-35.

 Kaierau 20 Ratana 13
This could have gone either way - and very nearly went the other.
With a minute to go, Kaierau up 15-13, Ratana started to mount one of its very best attacks, with young first-five Aaron Paranihi cutting through midfield and Kaierau desperately backpedalling.
Paranihi had three players on his right with only a couple of defenders. But a desperate tackle on his blindside took him down before he could release, Kaierau captain Denning Tyrell ripped the ball clear and burst two tackles - and he sent young winger Api Koroi 65m down the left to score. So Kaierau escaped a game they probably had much of the territory in and much of the possession, but couldn't better the huge defensive effort mounted by Ratana.
One can usually pick up a sense before a game about which team want to win more than the other - in this case Ratana's squad clearly saw this match as "last chance saloon" and were prepared to play accordingly.
Work on the Ratana defensive line speed certainly caused major problems to a Kaierau midfield - which was also shaken by a very painful elbow dislocation by big centre Rusi Vikula.
Ratana scored first with an intercept by former Kaierau wing Dawai Navitio, converted by Caleb Maraku, then the game was stopped for eight minutes while Vikula was treated and left the field.
Kaierau  blew several scoring chances soon after, but Koroi scored No 23 after half an hour and then Sam Ah Chookoon scored on the call of halftime for Kaierau to hit the lead. Was that the end of Ratana?
No way. Maraku levelled with a penalty after 19 minutes, then Kaierau veteran Nemia Adrole scored to give his side a five-point buffer. That was back to two with a 40m shot from Maraku - and the Ratana forwards started to take a measure of control with driving mauls which Kaierau found difficult to counter.
Thus it came down to the final minute, Ratana attacking - and Kaierau escaped the noose.
Pirates 39 Marton 35
A bit of a festival match at Spriggens Park, with Pirates leading 29-21 at halftime and holding on.
A lot of mistakes from both sides, a lot of missed tackles similarly - but plenty of tries as well.
Double tryscoring prop Carl Tui enjoyed his day for Pirates, Lee Ashford ran well, and Cole Baldwin (No 8) and Ricky Boniface (halfback) did well.
Usual loosie Joeli Kotobalavu produced danger for Marton from centre, second-five Jake Karaynidis landed six goals, and forwards Chad Byrne (lock) and Piki Mananui (hooker) also did well.
Tough for Marton - they don't often score 34 points.
Ruapehu 47 Taihape 6
Taihape started well enough at Ohakune, the team's scrum in particular giving Ruapehu a tickle-up, but once the local boys got their minds on the job they were clearly superior.
Star for Ruapehu was usual fullback Robert Hughes, who scored a hat-trick from the wing, backed-up by a solid effort from Pehira Huwyler at second-five - who may well receive another rep chance after all the recent injuries.
Stand-in skipper Andrew Evans showed his versatility by doing well in usual captain Peter Rowe's No 7 spot.
Lock Nick Cranston, who had been ill, got through 80 minutes - and last year's rep forward stand-out Fraser Hammond managed 30 minutes without discomfort, and that's good news.
Inside backs Ricky Alabaster and Cyrus Paringatai did well for a Taihape team hit late by non-rugby injuries - lock Rodger Gilbert, for example, coming off second-best after an encounter with a cow.
Marist 53 Utiku 3
Marist were much too quick and skilled for Utiku, which as usual gave it 100 per cent but couldn't turn possession into badly needed points.
Marist coach Karl Hoskin was happy to be able to give most of his squad a run with an eye to readying reserves for tougher games later on.
Flanker Nathan Puketapu again shone by turning over a lot of ball. Marist scored nine tries, but managed only three conversions from a varied bunch of kickers.
Rep winger Cameron Crowley, thought to be struggling during Wednesday's rep match, had no problems with his shoulder and scored a double.
JJ Walker (No 8/second-five), Adam Roe, Ash Transom and Mark Logan were Utiku's best, while centre James Marshall may have a dislocated shoulder.