It sets up an intriguing contest this coming Saturday when Taihape travel to Marton, who could only do so much against the defending champions Ruapehu on Saturday, whose juggernaut season just keeps rolling on, winning 31-10 in Ohakune.
The home team crossed for five tries at Rochfort Park, including a double to winger Robert Hughes, and could have inflated the scoreline further if they were converted.
Marton's Michael Thomsen grabbed what proved a consolation five-pointer in the second half.
The big story was the turnaround of Marist in the past fortnight as a second half try to Sean Brown at Spriggens Park saw them hold off Utiku Old Boys 16-9 for just their second win in 2013.
Coming into the match with two wins, a draw, and a narrow loss from their last four games, Utiku would have been confident of repaying their 17-7 defeat by Marist on April 6.
Instead, under the interim coaching regime of Jason Hamlin and Martin O'Connell following Greg Proctor's shock departure, Marist built on their improved effort against Border to take the match and started off on the right track for their second round mission of restoring pride.
In the MVP points standings, Pirates captain Lasa Ulukuta's barnstorming efforts against Border lifts him to a share of the lead with the Waverley team's fullback, Fraser Middleton.
There was no senior rugby games over Queens Birthday weekend.
Week nine will be played this Saturday, with three weeks to go before the competition splits into championship and consolation groups.
Results, June 1.
Tasman Tanning Premier, Week 10
Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist 16 (Sean Brown try, Travis Bartell 3 pen, con) bt Utiku OB 9 (Te Rangi Tapu McLeod 3 pen). HT: 9-3.
Taihape 22 (Jaye Flaws 2, Matiu Teepa tries, Luke Whale pen, 2 con) drew with Harvey Round Motors Ratana 22 (Vaan Rauhina 2, Mikaere Penetito, Kane Tamou tries, Te Tua Kemp con). HT: 12-all.
McCarthy's Ruapehu 31 (Robert Hughes 2, Kim McNaught, Tama Nahona, Owen King tries, Tautahi Rawiri 2 pen) bt Marton 10 (Michael Thomsen try, Lote Tauailoto pen, con). HT: 16-3.
Waverley Harvesting Border 17 (Aaron Yadiga try, Mark Davis 4 pen) bt Integrity Motors Pirates 16 (Josh Navitio, Denning Tyrell tries, Josh Marwick 2 pen). HT: 11-8.
Bye: Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau.
Grand Irish Bar Premier MVP Points (Week 10)
At Spriggens Park Travis Bartell (Marist first five) 3 points, Te Rangi Tapu McLeod (Utiku OB first five) 2, Mark Logan (Utiku OB flanker) 1.
At Waverley Mark Davis (Border first five) 3, Lasa Ulukuta (Pirates No 8) 2, Josh Navitio (Pirates halfback) 1.
At Taihape Jaye Flaws (Taihape winger) 3, Vaan Rauhina (Ratana prop) 2, Isaac Fonotoe (Ratana lock) 1 .
At Ohakune Robert Hughes (Ruapehu winger) 3, Chris Rayner (Marton flanker) 2, Peter Rowe (Ruapehu flanker) 1.
MVP Points leaders: Ulukuta and Fraser Middleton (Border) 13 points, Faamanu Manutuhiha (Marton), and Jason Hughes (Ruapehu) 9, Davis 8, Rowe 7, Ihaia Tai (Ratana), Shaun Hawira (Ruapehu) and Soonalote Tauailoto (Marton) 6, Rauhina, Ace Malo (Kaierau), Bartell, Junior Tume and Denning Tyrell (Pirates) 5.