Ruapehu tryscorer Troy Brown on the burst against Utiku Old Boys in the victory at Memorial Park on Saturday.
Despite being held to a draw at Spriggens Park, Waverley Harvesting Border still have their six-point buffer on top of Tasman Tanning Premier after their South Taranaki neighbours Settler's Honey Ngamatapouri again proved spoilers on Saturday.
Reminiscent of the nightmare Ngamatapouri visited on PGG Wrightson/Balance Taihape in the first round with a costly defeat up in the Waitotara Valley, the home side claimed another Top 4 scalp by hanging on for a 30-28 victory over second placed Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist.
The possibility of the upset had lingered before the match as despite their solid run of form, Marist had several sore players backing up from last Monday's Steelform Wanganui game, while key prop Viki Tofa was out injured.
At the same time, Ngamatapouri had several players working their way back from the injuries and suspensions that had hampered the squad the previous month, and they blew out to a 25-0 lead by halftime, with fullback Carlwyn Riddles scoring two tries in the match.
Marist came roaring back in customary fashion in the second half, with Richard Smith getting a double while Mitchell Millar converted the three player-scored tries, on top of the automatic seven points for a penalty try.
But Ngamatapouri also got their fifth try during the second stanza to win a thriller.
Marist's two bonus points still kept them in second spot after Black Bull Liquor Pirates' draw with Border dropped them down into a three-way tie from third to fifth as Taihape and McCarthy's Transport Ruapehu both picked up bonus point victories in away fixtures.
Taihape pulled away from Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau in the second half to retain their newly won Grand Hotel Challenge Shield 45-20 at the Country Club.
Kaierau looked more reinforced out wide with Ace Malo back at fullback and the return of injured centre Osea Tarogi, whose quick transfer back from Palmerston North club rugby saw the club's Senior team docked points earlier in the season.
They were still very much in the match at 21-15 at halftime with talented winger Lafaele Malo scoring two tries in the game.
But Taihape found another gear with centre Cyrus Paringatai and halfback Jack Kinder each scoring two of their team's seven tries, as Taihape moved up to fourth on points differential heading into their rematch with Ngamatapouri at home.
Ruapehu got the five points they needed from their 29-3 win over Utiku Old Boys at Memorial Park in an otherwise disjointed match.
Far different from the 88-7 massacre Ruapehu delivered on Utiku at Rochfort Park back in April, Ruapehu found their hosts a tougher prospect at home while they were missing a couple of key forwards, although playmaker Craig Clare made a welcome return to score a try and land a couple of conversions.
It sets up a crucial game this Saturday when Pirates head north to Ohakune for their third big match in as many weeks, with the difference on the points table between the second home semifinal spot and missing out entirely being so close you could throw a handkerchief over it.
The first full weekend of games for the Senior Championship and Consolation groups saw undefeated Speirs Food Marton keep their roll going with the disposal of Black Bull Liquor Pirates 31-6 at Marton Park in the latest Stihl Shop Wanganui Challenge Shield defence.
However, having played an extra match, Marist Celtic maintained their lead on the reset table with a comfortable 48-5 win over Taihape at Spriggens Park, while Kelso Hunterville rebounded from their upset loss on Marist's centennial weekend to beat Counties 25-0 at home.
Buffalo's couldn't repeat their magic from the anniversary weekend with a 50-24 loss to Border on the Racecourse, although a bonus point meant they still top the Consolation table for this week, while Ruapehu accounted for Kaierau 36-8 at the Country Club.
Results, June 10.
Tasman Tanning Premier, Week 13.
Black Bull Liquor Pirates 18 (Denning Tyrell, Raymond Epati, Vaovasa Afasua tries, Junior Ainea pen) drew with Waverley Harvesting Border 18 (Nick Harding 2 tries; Harding 2 pen, con). HT: 13-8 Pirates.
Grand Hotel Challenge Shield - PGG Wrightson/Balance Taihape 45 (Cyrus Paringatai 2, Jack Kinder 2, Jaye Flaws, Te Rangitapu McLeod, Boyd Mower tries; Dane Whale 5 con) bt Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau 20 (Lafaele Malo 2, Ethan Robinson tries; Robinson pen, con). HT: 21-15.
Settlers Honey Ngamatapouri 30 (Carlwyn Riddles 2, Emosi Vucago, Shaquille McKay, Josaia Dawai tries; Te Tua Kemp pen, con) bt Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist 28 (Richard Smith 2, Ryan Gill tries, penalty try; Mitchell Millar 3 con). HT: 25-0.
McCarthy's Transport Ruapehu 29 (Craig Clare, Roman Tutauha, Troy Brown, Kahl Elers-Green, Robert Hughes tries; Clare 2 con) bt Utiku OB 3 (Max Navas pen). HT: 19-3.
Bye: Harvey Round Motors Ratana.
Senior Championship
Celtic bt Taihape 48-5. HT: 19-0.
Stihl Shop Wanganui Challenge Shield - Speirs Food Marton bt Black Bull Liquor Pirates 31-6. HT: 7-6.
Kelso Hunterville bt Counties 25-0. HT: 13-0.
Senior Consolation
Border bt Buffalo's 50-24. HT: 31-14.
Ruapehu bt Kaierau 36-8. HT: 19-8.