With McCarthy's Transport Ruapehu on the bye, Pirates leapfrogged up the table to second spot, and will now take the Shield with them on the long trek up the Waitotara Valley to meet Settler's Honey Ngamatapouri.
Competition leaders Waverley Harvesting Border were back in the swing of things after their loss to Marist, picking up a comfortable 45-0 win over the struggling Harvey Round Motors Ratana at the Pa.
Having missed last week, fullback Nick Harding returned and contributed 15 points with a try and five conversions from his team's seven tries.
Premier's leading try scorer Kaveni Dabonaise crossed for his 11th five pointer of 2017, while halfback Lindsay Horrocks picked up a double.
Border will need to be approaching full strength this coming Saturday with Ruapehu on their way to Waverley.
In the other derby game at Memorial Park, PGG Wrightson/Balance Taihape did the business with a 53-7 hammering of Utiku Old Boys to keep tabs on the Top 4 after their bye week.
Forwards Hamish Bennett, Ritchie Irons and Wiremu Cotterill all scored doubles, while Utiku received a penalty try in the second half, which under the new rules does not require a conversion attempt.
In Senior rugby, undefeated Speirs Food Marton reached a satisfying milestone during their 40-0 disposal of Kaierau at the Country Club in the latest Stihl Shop Wanganui Challenge Shield defence.
With the last try of the game, Marton were able to confirm that every member of their squad has now scored in 2017.
They sit well on top of the table with one weekend left before the competition splits into the six-team Championship and four-team Consolation grades.
A desperate Border just missed making the Championship group after their 29-12 loss to Kelso Hunterville in Waverley left them still a point shy of Taihape as they go into their bye week.
Ruapehu also have very long odds against them for getting up, as despite a second half comeback they were beaten 23-17 by Marist Celtic at Spriggens Park and will now face Marton to end the first round.
Black Bull Liquor Pirates had no problems staying a step ahead of Hunterville when they smashed Marist Buffalo's 74-0 on the Racecourse fields.
It sets up a good clash this coming Saturday as Hunterville host Pirates to decide who will finish second for the round.
Results, May 20
Tasman Tanning Premier, Week 10.
Grand Hotel Challenge Shield - Black Bull Liquor Pirates 32 (Raymond Epati, Denning Tyrell, Romeo Tiatia, Tupu Ulufali tries; Junior Ainea 2 pen, 3 con) bt Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist 29 (Lachlan Blackstock, Simon Dibben, Josaia Bogileka, Elijah Ah Chong, Taione Ratu tries, Sean Brown 2 con). HT: 29-10.
Settlers Honey Ngamatapouri 29 (Jim Seruwalu 2, Jovi Maravu 2, Villie Kuruyabaki tries; Isireli Baleitavuku 2 con) bt Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau 20 (Fa'alili Fiatau, Shandon Scott tries; Ethan Robinson 2 pen, 2 con). HT: 17-10.
Waverley Harvesting Border 45 (Lindsay Horrocks 2, Harry Symes, Chris Breuer, Simon Batcher, Kaveni Dabonaise, Nick Harding tries; Harding 5 con) bt Harvey Round Motors Ratana 0. HT: 31-0.
PGG Wrightson/Balance Taihape 53 (Hamish Bennett 2, Ritchie Irons 2, Wiremu Cotterill 2, Paora McCarthy, Jaye Flaws, Matt Brown tries; Dane Whale 3 con, McCarthy con) bt Utiku OB 7 (penalty try). HT: 17-0.
Bye: McCarthy Transport Ruapehu.
Senior Championship, Week 10.
At Spriggens Park: Celtic bt Ruapehu 23-17. HT: 18-5.
At Kaierau Country Club (Stihl Shop Wanganui Challenge Shield): Speirs Food Marton bt Kaierau 40-0. HT: 14-0.
At Dallison Park: Kelso Hunterville bt Border 29-12. HT: 7-5.
At Wanganui Racecourse: Black Bull Liquor Pirates bt Buffalo's 74-0. HT: 45-0.
Counties bt Utiku OB by default.
Bye: Taihape.
