While Border toweled off in Waverley, content to have wrapped up their second win, it is defending champions Ruapehu who clearly rule the roost after three-straight bonus point victories in Premier rugby.
Thoughts of a close game with rival Kaierau were blown off Rochfort Park, as Ruapehu ran in 48 points in the second stanza, with seven players getting on a tryscorers' sheet.
There were much closer affairs across the other grades as Pirates decline from their impressive start to the season saw them held to a draw by Taihape on the visit to Memorial Park, keeping Taihape in second spot among four tightly-held teams chasing Ruapehu.
At Spriggens Park, the heavy rain from Taranaki packed in late in the game as Ratana beat Marist 24-20 their first win coupled with bonus points keeping them in touch with the emerging top four.
In senior rugby, Celtic, Hunterville and Taihape are the only teams remaining with unblemished records.
Results
Tasman Tanning Premier, Round 3
Harvey Round Motors Ratana 24 (Vaan Rauhina 2, Marius Joseph, Isaac Fonotoe tries, Western Hemi 2 con) bt Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist 20 (Scott McQuitty, Scott Dowman tries, Dowman 2 pen, con, Sean Brown con). HT: 13-12 Marist.
Waverley Harvesting Border 25 (Fraser Middleton 2, Andy Hamilton tries, Mark Davis 2 pen, 2 con) bt Utiku OB 0. HT: 15-0.
Taihape 20 (Jaye Flaws, Jason Huxtable tries, Luke Whale 2 pen, 2 con) drew with Integrity Motors Pirates 20 (Denning Tyrell, Sanele Ah Chookoon tries, Tyrell 2 pen, 2 con).
HT: 13-7.
McCarthy's Ruapehu 58 (Pehira Huwyler 2, Ian Rowe, Blair Dravitski, Kim McNaught, Joey McLeod, Tautahi Rawiri, Roman Tutauha tries, Zyron Hekenui 2 pen, 6 con) bt Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau 12 (Ace Malo, Jordan Farrington tries, Malo con). HT: 10-7.
Bye: Marton.
Grand Irish Bar MVP Points (Round 3)
At Spriggens Park: Vaan Rauhina (Ratana prop) 3, Scott Dowman (Marist fullback) 2, Isaac Fonotoe (Ratana lock) 1.
At Waverley: Fraser Middleton (Border fullback) 3, Sam Madams (Border lock) 2, Terangi Tapu (Utiku first five) 1.
At Taihape: Denning Tyrell (Pirates first five) 3, Slade Horton (Taihape prop) 2, Luke Whale (Taihape fullback) 1.
At Ohakune: Jason Hughes (Ruapehu No 8) 3, Pehira Huwyler (Ruapehu second five) 2, Ace Malo (Kaierau fullback) 1.
Leaders (after 3 rounds): Hughes 6, Malo 4, Viki Tofa (Marist), Matt Thompson, Denning Tyrell (Pirates), Shaun Hawira (Ruapehu), Fraser Bryant, Marcus Tottman (Taihape), Middleton, Mark Davis (Border), Rauhina 3.
Senior championship (Round 2)
At Spriggens Park: Marist Celtic beat Marton 25-20.
At Racecourse: Counties beat St John's Tech 5-0.
At Waverley: Utiku OB beat Border 20-12.
At Hunterville (Stihl Shop Wanganui Challenge Shield): Power Farming (PN) Hunterville beat Marist 24-15.
At Taihape: Taihape beat Trans Pacific Pirates 31-27.
At Ohakune: Ruapehu beat Kaierau 41-10.