Ruapehu's Corey Carmichael scored one of his team's tries in their important away victory over Ngamatapouri to move close to Border on top of the table.
The points table has closed right back up in Tasman Tanning Premier after Waverley Harvesting Border lost both their unbeaten tag and the Grand Hotel Challenge Shield to Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist on Saturday.
Bringing an understrength team to Spriggens Park for the second game of the double header, Border found themselves 17-0 down midway through the first half as Marist prop Viki Tofa went blindside to score in the corner on his second attempt from a 5m ruck, and then returning winger Lachlan Blackstock grabbed two of his eventual hat trick of tries.
Blackstock's opening five-pointer might have been the try of the season so far - set up by a brilliant run from fellow winger Simon Dibben from near his own line to slice back infield through tackles and find second-five Josaia Bogileka, who sent Blackstock away.
The winger then collected a looping cut-out pass from first-five Steelie Koro off his boot laces to dive across the line.
Border were in real trouble as linchpin prop Tietie Tuimauga and workhorse flanker Angus Middleton limped out of the match.
They could still secure territory advantage but would not convert it into points after making several key fumbles.
Border finally replied in the 32nd mintute when second-five James Forsythe ran into a gap and fired a low pass for winger Tom Symes to grasp and dive over, but Marist attacked from the kickoff and Border spilled the ball on their own line - conceeding a penalty for halfback Sean Brown to make it 20-7 at halftime.
With Border's forward pack depleted, new Fijian import lock Sekonaia Kalou took charge of the situation, scoring a clever try at a 10m lineout with a double bluff where he feinted being the jumper before moving forward, away from the lifted player, and instead took hooker Cole Baldwin's short throw to power through two tacklers and score.
Marist replied quickly with Brown's second penalty, before Border again closed the gap when Forsythe found the opening to cross out wide after his team had spread the ball from sideline to sideline.
Border were now coming on strong, but made a costly error when they lost possession from a maul inside Marist's half and Blackstock found no-one in front of him to dash away and score a 60m converted try.
Kalou again dragged his team back into the match when he went blindside and dove with full extension through tackles to plant the ball right inside the corner flag, but Border would then twice lose the ball on Marist's line as the clock wound down.
Getting one bonus point saw Border remain just on top of the standings, as they will collect the Paul Mitchell Cup as first round winners, but they had to leave the Challenge Shield behind for Marist to defend in the derby with Black Ball Liquor Pirates this weekend.
Up in bee country, McCarthy's Transport Ruapehu were able to move right in behind Border with a comfortable 37-5 win over Settler's Honey Ngamatapouri, who have dropped back down from playoff contention.
Two red cards hurt the home side's chances against the clinical Ohakune team, who scored six tries to one.
The front rowers were in on the action as Ruapehu's Roman Tutauha and Kim McNaught crossed the chalk, as did Ngamatapouri's Clint Newland for his team's sole points in the second half.
At the Country Club, Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau ended a dissappointing first round with a flourish after accounting for winless Harvey Round Motors Ratana 29-0.
The Robinson's were all over the score sheet as Ethan and Cade both scored tries, with Ethan adding a penalty and three conversions, while winger Lafaele Malo continued his tryscoring ways.
It was not a great week for the Kaierau club, however, as the Senior team has been docked five competition points and received a fine for fielding an ineligible player in their 13-13 draw with Border at the Country Club on April 15.
Following investigation, WRFU club development officer Paul Kenny said the player had returned home for that weekend after previously being registered and turning out for the Te Kawau club in Manawatu.
His name was not included on the official team sheet and he was subbed off before fulltime, but not before being recognised by an old schoolmate in the Border team.
Kenny said the breach was dissappointing because Kaierau have always been one of the better local clubs when it comes to proper registrations.
"They knew what they were doing.
"We don't like doing it [punishment], but when there's other clubs involved you have to follow through."
The player has now transferred to Kaierau and after the mandatory one-week stand down will be eligible to play this weekend.
On the field, the Senior team still made it a club double for the weekend after coming from behind to beat the Marist Buffalo's 25-20 at the Country Club.
Kelso Hunterville have locked down third spot on the table after they eventually got away from a determined Ruapehu to win 44-22 at home.
On a very competitive weekend of games, Marist Celtic maintained their seven point buffer from halftime to beat Border 27-20 on the Racecourse.
Counties continued their climb while also ending the string of good results for Taihape - beating them 29-7 at the McNab Domain.
Results, May 13.
Tasman Tanning Premier, Week 9.
Grand Hotel Challenge Shield - Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist 30 (Lachlan Blackstock 3, Viki Tofa tries; Sean Brown 2 pen, 2 con) bt Waverley Harvesting Border 22 (Sekonaia Kalou 2, Tom Symes, James Forsythe tries; Harry Symes con). HT: 20-7.
Black Bull Liquor Pirates 36 (Matt Thompson, Mene Taufa'asau, Siulagi Lafi, Manulua Lafi, Romeo Tiatia, Soonalote Tauailoto tries; Junior Ainea 2 con; Tupu Ulufale con) bt Utiku OB 15 (Karl Farrell, Sala Taumohenga tries; Max Navas pen, con). HT: 24-8.
Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau 29 (Ethan Robinson, Cade Robinson, Josh Lane, Lafaele Malo tries; Ethan Robinson pen, 3 con) bt Harvey Round Motors Ratana 0. HT: 10-0.
McCarthy's Transport Ruapehu 37 (Roman Tutauha, Campbell Hart, Kahl Elers-Green, Shaquille Waara, Corey Carmichael, Kim McNaught tries; Cruz Pene pen, con; Andrew Evans con) bt Settlers Honey Ngamatapouri 5 (Clint Newland try). HT: 15-0.
Bye: PGG Wrightson/Balance Taihape.
Senior Championship, Round 9.
At Racecourse: Celtic bt Border 27-20. HT: 17-10.
At Kaierau C.C.: Kaierau bt Buffalo's 25-20. HT: 13-5 Buffalo's.
At McNab Domain: Counties bt Taihape 29-7.
At Hunterville: Kelso Hunterville bt Ruapehu 44-22. HT: 22-19 Ruapehu.
Black Bull Liquor Pirates bt Utiku OB by default.
Bye: Speirs Food Marton.