The top four are now well clear of the chasing pack but not without some headaches after close games in the 11th week of Premier rugby on Saturday.
Pirates are set for an important clash with Taihape this weekend after a second half revival saw them edge home in the local derby at Spriggens Park, 39-30 over a determined Marist.
The current wooden spooners have shown renewed drive in the second round and were a vast improvement on their 31-12 loss to Pirates on the March 30 opening weekend clash, although the problem of not sustaining their performances came back to haunt them.
They led 20-8 at the break with first-five Travis Bartels taking his time during many opportunities at the goal posts, but Pirate's four tries in the second stanza proved decisive.
No8 Lasa Ulukuta gave another captain's knock with a hat-trick of tries, his performance lifting him to the top of the MVP points standings.
Marist fullback Grayson Tihema was the man for his side with all three of his team's touchdowns.
Kaierau still have plenty to play for as they withstood a second half comeback from home side Ratana to win 30-24. Both teams picked up bonus points with eight tries scored, Kaierau's Ace Malo's boot settling the issue.
At Memorial Park, Ruapehu were made to work to keep the Grand Hotel Challenge Shield as Utiku Old Boys lifted themselves at home before losing 24-13.
Ruapehu grabbed an impressive eighth bonus point from 10 games with loosie Jason Hughes scoring two of their four tries.
In senior rugby, the Stihl Shop Wanganui Challenge Shield has returned to Marist after they reclaimed the prize at Waverley, ending Border's fortnight with the shield following a 30-6 victory.
Hunterville pulled away in the second half of their match with Pirates, the bonus point 39-17 win leaving them clear table toppers ahead of Ruapehu and Celtic.
Results
Tasman Tanning Premier (Week 11)
Integrity Motors Pirates 39 (Lasa Ulukuta 3, Johnny Mow, Matt Thompson tries, Josh Marwick 2 pen, 4 con) bt Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist 30 (Grayson Tihema 3 tries, Travis Bartels 3 pen, 2 con, Ethan Bailey con). HT: 20-8 Marist.
Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau 30 (Johnny Muir, Nemia Adrole, Stuart Brosnahan, Jordan Farrington tries, Ace Malo 2 pen, 2 con) bt Harvey Round Motors Ratana 24 (Kapene Paki 2, Marius Joseph, Isaac Fonotoe tries, Alan Penetito 2 con). HT: 22-10 Kaierau.
Taihape 24 (Rimu Wipaki, Jaye Flaws, Marcus Tottman tries, Luke Whale pen, 3 con) bt Marton 11 (Faamanu Manutuhiha try, Lote Tauailoto 2 pen). HT: 17-6.
Grand Hotel Challenge Shield
McCarthy's Ruapehu 24 (Jason Hughes 2, Zyon Hekenui, Brad Scarrow tries, Tautahi Rawiri 2 con) bt Utiku OB 13 (Jerome Thomas try, Te Rangi Tapu McLeod 2 pen, con). HT: 12-6 Ruapehu. Bye: Waverley Harvesting Border.
Grand Irish Bar Premier MVP Points (Week 11)
At Spriggens Park Lasa Ulukuta (Pirates No 8) 3 points, Bradley Graham (Marist flanker) 2, Junior Tume (Pirates hooker) 1.
At Ratana Michael Horrocks (Kaierau lock) 3, Isaac Fonotoe (Ratana lock) 2, Ihaia Tai (Ratana fullback) 1.
At Marton Park Rimu Wipaki (Taihape hooker) 3, Jake Karaynidis (Marton winger) 2, Jaye Flaws (Taihape winger) 1.
At Memorial Park Kim McNaught (Ruapehu prop) 3, James Maher (Utiku OB No8) 2, Shaun Hawira (Ruapehu lock) 1.
MVP Points Leaders
Ulukuta 16 points, Fraser Middleton (Border) 13, Faamanu Manutuhiha (Marton) and Jason Hughes (Ruapehu) 9, Mark Davis (Border) 8, Hawira, Peter Rowe (Ruapehu), Tai and Vaan Rauhina (Ratana) 7, Soonalote Tauailoto (Marton) and Junior Tume (Pirates) 6, Ace Malo (Kaierau), Travis Bartels (Marist), Denning Tyrell (Pirates) and Wipaki 5.
Senior championship (Week 9)
At Spriggens Park St John's Tech drew with Taihape 17-17. HT: 7-5 Tech.
At Waverley (SS Wanganui Challenge Shield) Marist bt Border 30-6. HT: 18-3.
At Marton Park Marton bt Kaierau 29-15. HT: 15-12 Kaierau.
At Hunterville Power Farming (PN) Hunterville bt Trans Pacific Pirates 39-17. HT: 22-14.
At Taihape Counties bt Utiku OB 22-19. HT: 12-7.
At Ohakune Ruapehu bt Celtic 48-5. HT: 19-0.