It may have been sloppy and not without some controversy, but Taihape couldn't have cared less as they claimed their first win on Kaierau's home patch in 10 years on Saturday.
Holding off the hosts 18-17 in a wet Premier round 4 match where the lead changed hands almost as much as the possession, Taihape have staked out second spot on the points table after a game that despite its handling faults was highly entertaining.
The bare bones of what both teams wanted to achieve were there - laid on by good work up front the Taihape backs were positive and expansive, while Kaierau's entire unit from props to wingers were eager to spread out wide.
Where they came unstuck was the final poor pass option, misguided kicks or slippery hands of which no one was exempt even the stars of the game had those moments where it went wrong.
What proved the difference was Taihape's temperament inside the final 15 minutes taking the lead from a Luke Whale penalty they held their nerve while Kaierau conceded a string of penalties from referee Sean Moore.
Kaierau coaches Keith Savell and Anton Edwards already had their issues with Moore after what they said was his error in the crucial dying moments of the first half.
A scrum had been called 10m from Kaierau's line before play was stopped for injured prop Perofeta Fua'ava.
After five minutes respite during which the stretcher was sent away and Fua'ava gingerly carried on, Taihape were given the put-in.
"It was [supposed to be] our ball and they scored," said Edwards afterwards.
The Taihape try locked the score up 12-12 at the break, with the visitors regaining the lead shortly after the resumption from a Whale penalty.
Heading into the final quarter Kaierau struck back with their third try, but Taihape remained calm and waited for their opportunity to swing the balance again.
Edwards agreed it had been a match from both teams where the attacking intent was there, but players trying to think a step ahead led to crucial mistakes.
"We had our fits and starts. Final execution of passes [were off], wrong options taken.
"We had enough ball to win the game."
For Taihape coach Kerry Whale, who knows how hard it is to win at Kaierau Country Club, it only mattered that they got the duke.
"I'm really rapt for these young fellas."
It wasn't perfect, but with eight 21-year-olds in the team Whale was delighted they have positioned themselves in second spot ahead of facing Border at home this week.
After a nervous first quarter, where both sides let the ball slip just when they had opened the gap, Kaierau's determination to play at pace with quick lineouts earned reward.
Everyone from forwards to backs spun it wide to winger Rhys Whylie, who found lock and captain Chris Harris on his inside to crash over. Taihape replied a few minutes later as big centre Tremaine Gilbert split the midfield and found winger Jaye Flaws with a long pass.
The teams traded back-to-back tries inside the final six minutes first Kaierau hooker Joseph Lavin found centre Jordan Farrington with a great ball to send him on a barnstorming dash to the posts. But after dropping the kickoff, Kaierau let Taihape close, as their front rowers tried to smash over before the previously mentioned scrum was called.
Getting possession back, well-performed first-five Tom Wells drew in three tacklers and Gilbert was not going to be stopped near the line.
Luke Whale grabbed Taihape's lead back just after the break with a 40m penalty.
Still determined to spread it, Kaierau scored with 24 minutes remaining after winger Stuart Brosnahan crossed in the corner following five phases on Taihape's line.
Yet it was Whale nailing another crucial three-pointer in heavy rain with 12 minutes left which sealed the deal.
He, along with Wells, winger Hemi Dehar and busy flanker Johnathon Maxwell had fine games, while Kaierau's best, but not flawless, were Harris, Brosnahan and No 8 Nemia Adrole.
Taihape 18 (Jaye Flaws, Tremaine Gilbert tries, Luke Whale 2 pen, con) bt Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau 17 (Stuart Brosnahan, Chris Harris, Jordan Farrington tries, Rhys Wylie con). HT: 12-all.