Kaierau's Rhys Wylie.
It was one of those Saturday afternoons that lifts a battler club to a high which can sustain them for a season, while bringing another to despair.
Utiku Old Boys showed that whatever happens to them on the road in Tasman Tanning Premier, all teams must bring their 'A Game' to Memorial Park, as they out-worked a very underwhelming Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau 30-21.
Kaierau somehow regressed further from the previous weekend's loss to Black Bull Liquor Pirates, where they were at least skillful on attack, as early penalties cost them territory and gave way to desperation with the ball - making haphazard passes on the half-break and costly turnovers at ruck time.
It was tailor-made for a reinforced Utiku squad who struggle themselves to build attacking impetus, but can grind it out with some strong fundamental phases, being led by their very committed forward pack.
The entire back five earned their beers as flankers Matt Crawford and Regan Collier were outstanding, supported by No8 Gordon Coogan and lock Sam Stratton, while hooker Jake Anderson and prop Josh Hirini did the business up front.
The pack made the gutsy call midway through the second half, with Kaierau on the comeback, to turn down an easy three points and drive Crawford from the 22m lineout all the way to the line - giving Utiku a vital 22-14 advantage which they never surrendered.
It was big point of pride for coach Matt Gilbert, the team's former front rower.
"They did bloody well, it's good to see them back themselves to drive it in there."
Gilbert agreed his underdog side took it as a motivating point to be as strong as possible at home.
"We just got guys on the bench. In saying that, we didn't use them much - I didn't want to even blink. The boys did the job."
Probing halfback Ra Broughton capitalised on having room to work, scoring two sharp tries, while former PGG Wrightson/Balance Taihape back Taylor Transom has come in to form a promising No10-12 combination with Austrian import Max Navas.
Kaierau's Ace Malo and Ethan Robinson may be at the top of the MVP list - showing why with some great front-on tackling while Robinson also put winger Lafaele Malo in for his double with a great line-ball reverse flick - but these moments were few and far between.
Kaierau turned the territory advantage in the third quarter but were often stopped short within a coat of paint of the line, and when Utiku got the ball back they did not looked drained and increased the pressure.
The visitor's response was some poor passes and key turnovers.
"I showed these boys the tape of the first half against Pirates. We just don't learn," said coach Denis Edwards.
"Offloads when we shouldn't, hang on when we shouldn't.
"A lack of aggression in the forwards.
"It's disappointing, I know they're better than that."
A number of key players limped out of the match in the second half, but Edwards said the pride was hurt more than any serious injury.
As the rain fell lightly but eventually went away, Utiku worked forward off infringements to live in Kaierau's half, as the visitors would throw foolish passes when they had just half a chance of breaking free.
Navas opened the account with a penalty, although Utiku would lack for any killer thrust until late in the half when Broughton spotted the opening at the ruck and dashed away from the cover defence for 10-0.
Kaierau first-five Rhys Wylie struggled to connect with his inside ball runners, but he eventually got it right with a good probing run and found Lafaele Malo, who ran to the posts.
Utiku drove back to the line until Kaierau reserve forward Joe Edwards showed his pack how it's done with some hard tackling to deny the home side on halftime.
Utiku started shifting wide more to open the second stanza, and were rewarded when Kaierau dropped a cross kick.
Broughton worked winger Emori Lodoviko into the gap, and despite being lifted in the tackle he smuggled the ball back to Broughton, who dived over with the defence clinging to his jersey.
Kaierau hit back immediately as they spread to each sideline and Robinson offloaded brilliantly to an unmarked Malo, then raised the flags from the sideline for 17-14.
But Utiku would grit the teeth and hold out by inches at a couple of tryline rucks, despite making their own spills when trying to get out of Dodge.
Kaierau turned down a straight forward penalty kick to stay on attack, but they lost control and when Utiku were presented with a similar option, their pack delivered for Crawford to score.
Some bad forward passes put Kaierau under pressure they didn't need, and Broughton eventually found the gap, with the ball then spread wide for fullback Karl Farrell to cross untouched.
Kaierau were now desperate and flanker Joel Martin decided he would do it without help - snapping up a loose ball and dragging two tacklers with him to score beside the posts for 27-21 with less than 10 minutes left.
But Utiku did not go into their shell - with Lodoviko securing the kickoff and Utiku working midfield, where they got the penalty for a high tackle and Navas coolly nailed the match-winner.
Utiku 30 (R Broughton 2, M Crawford, K Farrell tries; M Navas 2 pen, 2 con) bt Kaierau 21 (L Malo 2, J Martin tries; E Robinson 2 con; R Wylie con). HT: 10-7.