Drafted in only last week after Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist withdrew from contention, there was not much expected from wooden spooners Utiku Old Boys in their Tasman Tanning Premier consolation play-off with heavyweights Harvey Round Motors Ratana at the Pa on Saturday.
Instead, the Taihape team caused a boilover to rival any other in 2014 after a match that had everyone scrambling for the rule book when the scores were deadlocked 32-32 with no extra time played.
Confusion reigned as WRFU chief executive Dale Cobb was informed of the stalemate while he watched the Ruapehu v Taihape game in Ohakune.
"That will go to the operating committee and they will decide the outcome," he said.
In the end, Utiku were awarded the match, and an unlikely berth at club finals day this Saturday, by virtue of scoring five tries in the match to Ratana's four.
Fijian imports Malakai Volau (a double) and Michael Nabuliwaqa registered five-pointers for their team, alongside Mark Logan and Scott Illston.
Ratana prop Kapene Paki got a double, while leading flanker also Jamie Hughes scored to go with a penalty try for the home team, as Caleb Marakau had a better day with the boot than his Utiku opposite Te Rangi Tapu McLeod.
In the other consolation semifinal, Speirs Food Marton were undermanned but not outdone as they held off Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau 24-19 at the Country Club, meaning both consolation playoffs were won by the away team.
Marton outscored Kaierau three tries to two in the second half with Lake Ah Chong, Steve Wulf, Afano Kuika, and Salu Peneli getting their five-pointers while player/coach Cornel Mason added two kicks.
Kaierau's Ace Malo seems to have recovered from his bad jaw injury earlier the year after scoring two tries and adding two conversions.
In the senior championship, Power Farming (PN) Hunterville had no problems making it through to yet another final after disposing of Tech 36-12 at home.
It will be a rematch of 2013 as Ruapehu getting a crucial try in the fourth quarter of their game with Marist Celtic at Rochfort Park lifted them to a rugged 10-0 win in the other semifinal.
As expected in senior consolation, Counties and Downs Group Marton made it through to the final, beating Marist Buffalo's 30-10 and Taihape 17-3 respectively.
Results, July 26
Premier consolation
Speirs Food Marton 24 (Lake Ah Chong, Steve Wulf, Afano Kuika, Salu Peneli tries, Cornel Mason 2 con) bt Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau 19 (Ace Malo 2, Taylor Kirkwood tries, Malo 2 con). HT: 7-5 Kaierau.
Utiku OB 32 (Malakai Volau 2, Michael Nabuliwaqa, Mark Logan, Scott Illston tries, Te Rangi Tapu McLeod pen, 2 con) drew with Harvey Round Motors Ratana 32 (Kapene Paki 2, Jamie Hughes tries, penalty try, Caleb Maraku 2 pen, 3 con). HT: 13-12 Utiku OB. Utiku OB win match 5-4 on tries.
Senior championship
At Hunterville: Power Farming (PN) Hunterville bt Tech 36-12. HT: 17-0.
At Rochfort Park: Ruapehu bt Marist Celtic 10-0. HT: 5-0.
Senior consolation
At Marton Park - Downs Group Marton bt Taihape 17-3.
At McNab Domain, Kaiwhaiki: Counties bt Marist Buffalo's 30-10.
Finals say draw (Saturday, August 2)
Premier championship: Pirates v Ruapehu, Spriggens Park, 2.30pm.
Premier consolation: Marton v Utiku OB, Spriggens Park, 11.30am.
Senior championship: Hunterville v Ruapehu, Spriggens Park, 1pm.
Senior consolation: Counties v Marton, Racecourse, 1pm.