McCarthy's Ruapehu maintained their unblemished record in the Tasman Tanning Wanganui Premier Rugby competition with a resounding 49-6 win over hosts Ratana on Saturday.
The match marked the end of round one of the competition and the victory gave Ruapehu the Paul Mitchell Cup for finishing top of the heap on the points table with 36. Ruapehu have gone through round one with seven wins and one draw from the eight games, five ahead of second-placed Waverley Harvesting Border.
Robert Hughes and Logan Vaughan scored two tries apiece for Ruapehu, while Zyron Hekenui, Taina Wallace, Roman Tutauha and Temaire Hawira chipped in with one each. Hekenui slotted a penalty and two conversions, while Tautahi Rawiri also kicked a conversion. Points for Harvey Round Motors Ratana came from the boot of Tetuha Kemp with two penalties.
Ruapehu assistant coach Andrew Evans said exceptional depth in the 25-strong squad and outstanding individual performances throughout round one had given the team an edge over their rivals.
"While you're only as good as your last game really, but we have had an exceptional season so far with some exceptional players," Evans said. "There's 25 in the wider squad and that has given us depth and kept everyone honest as they fight to maintain their spots in the team. We are really looking forward to round two next weekend."
Ruapehu are defending champions and also won the competition in 2008 and 2009.
In other games Marton continued their run of solid form with a 47-20 victory over Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau at Marton Park.
Marton are emerging as the dark horse in this competition now after dispatching Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist 27-5.
Lucas Putts, Moli Sagapolutele, Perenise Enoka, Tyler Rogers-Holden and Michael Thompson all dotted down for Marton to add to a penalty try, while Lote Tauailoto kicked three penalties and four conversions. Ace Malo scored a brace of tries for Kaierau and Jesse Smith scored one. Rhys Wylie chipped in with a penalty and two conversions.
Marton coach Cornel Mason agreed his side was a dark horse in the competition and improving with each outing.
"It was a good win hard on the heels of other top games we've played lately and we are improving with each game," Mason said.
He singled out Chris Rayner and lock Salu Peneli, who won the Grand Irish Bar MVP, as standouts in Saturday's game.
Border bounced back from a 21-6 loss to Ruapehu last week with a 23-12 win over Marist at Dallison Park on Saturday.
Marist set aside their coaching woes to lead for much of the match, but with 20 minutes of the game to go when the score was 12-10 to Marist, Border rolled over the top late in the piece.
All of Marist's points came from the boot of Travis Bartell, while Sailosi Naqiso (2) and Aaron Yadiga dotted down for Border. Mark Davis kicked two penalties and one conversion.
Border manager Chris Amon said while it was good to bounce back to winning form, his team had "probably played down to Marist's level" rather than Border improving from the week before.
"We could have done better around the rucks and mauls and probably played down to Marist's level, although to be fair they [Marist] did improve on recent performances. They did lead for a good part of the game, but we were just too strong and fitter in the last 20 minutes or so," Amon said.