It was a perfect afternoon in the Pa for Tāmata Hauhā Rātana to cap off their centenary celebrations with a famous upset to keep alive their dream of a semifinal appearance in their return to Tasman Tanning Premier.

In a perfect storm, Rātana were ready for a season-defining game whereas Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau were missing a number of key playmakers due to injury and suspension, and the visitors never got out of first gear as the hosts pulled away in the second half for a 27-12 victory.

Winger Peni Waqatabu and prop Raymond Salu scored Kaierau’s tries, while in the absence of both
Steelform Whanganui squad members Peceli Malanicagi and Ethan Robinson, Sheldon Pakinga covered fullback and slotted one conversion.

Believed to have scored five tries for a precious bonus point, Rātana have leapfrogged the mathematically-eliminated Marton into fifth spot and are now just two points behind Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist, who they likewise host in the Pa this coming Saturday in what is now a virtual quarterfinal. Rātana closed the gap on Marist after the home side could not repeat their strong effort against top qualifier Waverley Harvesting Border from the first round, beaten 33-7 at Spriggens Park.

In windy conditions, Border did all their scoring in the opening 40 minutes, while in the second stanza Marist got their consolation try from second-five Josaia Bogileka with halfback Daniel Kauika adding the extras.

Celebrating his 100 th game for the club, Border captain Angus Middleton scored, while second five Alekesio Vakarorogo grabbed a double for the second consecutive match.

His midfield partner Timoci Seruwalu added another try to his growing tally, while prop Kamipeli Latu dotted down and first-five Tyrone Albert slotted four conversions.

They will now aim to regain the Whanganui Rugby Challenge Shield they surrendered to Byford’s Readimix Taihape when the new second-place side on the table brings it to Dallison Park.

One shield did change hands on Saturday as there was another big upset in the Senior competition, when Kelso Hunterville ended Utiku Old Boys undefeated streak, 16-12 at the domain.

Maintaining a small lead throughout the match, Hunterville locked in their fourth spot, which was a mild surprise to Bennett’s Taihape, who thought they were reclaiming it after coming from behind to win a thriller with Black Bull Liquor Pirates, 15-12 at Marton Park.

To make it easier for referee officiating, the game was moved from Memorial Park for mutually beneficial reasons – Taihape able to provide bench players for their Premier team in the later game, and Pirates travelling less than half the distance for their away match.

The scoreline went back and forth, with Pirates being ruled held up on the tryline when leading 12-10 and then Taihape going to the other end to score the match-winner to slot into fifth place and set up a barnburner with Hunterville this weekend.

Also celebrating are Tāmata Hauhā Rātana Brotherhood, who locked themselves into the quarterfinals after holding in the second half to defeat Ali Arc Logistics Marist Celtic 17-13 in the Pa.

That result sunk ninth place Gemini Pepper Construction Kaierau, who were always going to be up against it facing the red-hot Forest 360 Marist Knights, who racked up a big 50-0 at Spriggens Park to finally move past Utiku Old Boys on the table ahead of their big upcoming clash in Taihape.

McCarthy’s Transport Ruapehu continues to build for the quarterfinals, where they are guaranteed to host the third vs sixth game, after a no-nonsense 35-0 win at home over the Border Seniors.

And McCrea Scanning Counties gave their supporters some late season joy with a big 53-0 win over an under-strength JJ Walters Asphalt Marton at Macnab Domain.

By Jared Smith

Results

Tasman Tanning Premier, Week 9

Tāmata Hauhā Rātana 27 bt Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau (Raymond Salu, Peni Waqatabu tries; Sheldon Pakinga con). HT: 8-5.

Taihape 40 (Tyler Rogers-Holden 2, Beau Walker, Matt Brown, Gabriel Hakaraia, Kahl Elers-Green tries; Luke Whale 5 con) bt Marton 5 (Loki Peniasi try). HT: 21-5.

Waverley Harvesting Border 33 (Alekesio Vakarorogo 2, Kamipeli Latu, Angus Middleton, Timoci Seruwalu tries; Tyrone Albert 4 con) bt Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist 7 (Josaia Bogileka try; Daniel Kauika con). HT: 33-0.

Senior Championship, Week 10

Rochfort Park: McCarthy’s Transport Ruapehu bt Border 35-0. HT: 28-0.

Spriggens Park: Forest 360 Marist Knights bt Gemini Pepper Construction Kaierau 50-0. HT: 31-0.

Rātana Pa: Tāmata Hauhā Rātana Brotherhood bt Ali Arc Logistics Marist Celtic 17-13. HT: 10-0.

Hunterville Domain (Stihl Shop Wanganui Challenge Shield): Kelso Hunterville bt Utiku Old Boys 16-12. HT: 10-5.

Memorial Park: Bennett’s Taihape bt Black Bull Liquor Pirates 15-12. HT: 7-5 Pirates.

Macnab Domain: McCrea Scanning Counties bt JJ Walters Asphalt Marton 53-0. HT: 17-0.

Women

Cooks Gardens: AGC Marist Clover bt Marton Queenbeez by default.

Cooks Gardens: Byfords Construction Taihape bt Silks Audit Rātana 27-12.