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EVAN BARNES/SHUTTERSPORT

GOT THERE: Tevita Cavubati scores the winning try for Waimea Old Boys against Wanderers.

Waimea OB 20 Wanderers 18
Waimea Old Boys were thankful for every centimetre of lock Tevita Cavubati's lanky 1.98m frame on Saturday.

Otherwise, it would have been Taylor's Contracting Wanderers enjoying the victory celebrations at Jubilee Park.

With just five minutes left on the clock and Wanderers ahead 18-13 in their crunch Car Company Nelson Bays division one rugby match, the big Fijian lock burst through traffic inside Wanderers' quarter and, at full stretch, slammed the ball over the line for the winning try.

First five-eighth Josh Rutledge's conversion handed Star and Garter Waimea their first lead of the match and ultimately a life-saving victory as Wanderers slumped to their third straight defeat.

Wanderers appeared to have sewn up the win seven minutes earlier, when centre Trael Joass accepted a slick inpass from halfback Jackson Harvey, who'd been hammered into touch just metres from the line.

There had been little between the sides throughout a physical and occasionally ill-tempered clash, Wanderers breaking a 6-all halftime deadlock when No8 Loa Windley sauntered across from a tap penalty four minutes after the restart. But Waimea were quickly back in touch when prop Ropate Ranakama burrowed across to again help level the scores at 13-all.

Joass gave Wanderers new heart before Cavubati capped a fine individual performance with the crucial try, having been conspicuous throughout with his lineout prowess and ball-carrying ability. Flanker Dan Hytongue proved equally effective.

However, Waimea did themselves few favours when indiscipline saw Kaide Whiting and Kerry O'Connor sinbinned in separate second-half incidents for indiscreet punching, leaving their team-mates to battle with just 14 men for 20 minutes.

Joass constantly threatened on attack, but Waimea's desperation proved greater than Wanderers', who have now slipped to sixth place but with their playoff hopes still alive in next week's final round.

Marist 25 Huia 20

Wakatu Hotel Marist also needed a try with time up to get past a typically dogged New World Huia side at Sports Park Motueka and help shunt them into third place with a round remaining.

Fullback Latham Jones provided the crucial touchdown, Marist working the ball through several phases before Jones found a gap out wide to bust through and score.

The teams had been locked 10-all at the break, Marist's sole first-half try being scored by halfback Jeremy Su'a, back from international duty with Samoa. Wing Lote Niue touched down for the home team.

Jones' winning try also handed Marist a crucial try-scoring bonus point, following earlier second-half touchdowns to midfielder Kieron Fonotia and wing Connor Trathen. First five-eighth Jesse Rush helped to keep Huia in the hunt with a second-half intercept try, and added 10 points with his boot. But despite outscoring Huia by four tries to two, Marist simply couldn't distance themselves.

Marist were helped by the second-half arrival of substitute No8 Joe Yalayala, whose powerful running provided the necessary impetus to keep themselves within striking distance. Otherwise, Huia were always a chance, with Rush influential at No10 and centre Tema Faifua dangerous on attack until he left the field during the second half with a hamstring injury. No8 Kyung Henry was also a damaging runner, eventually reverting to hooker.

Stoke 60 Riwaka 13

Accessman Stoke appear to have addressed any issues around closing out matches, scoring four converted tries in the final quarter to distance themselves from Enza Riwaka at Cooks Reserve.

Having conceded a swag of points in the final stages of their previous two matches, Stoke eventually finished with eight tries to help consolidate their playoff chances ahead of next week's final-round bye.

Stoke's final position won't be determined until then, although they did everything possible to ensure a comfortable transition through to the semifinals as they continued their run of recent high scores.

The visitors held an 18-6 advantage at halftime following tries to fullback Leon Guerin and prop Mike Tyler, as a rugged Riwaka forward pack kept the home team in the contest.

Stoke began to gather more momentum during the second half before Riwaka eventually narrowed the margin to 32-13. Then Stoke put the foot to the metal over the dying stages as Riwaka's defence began to disintegrate under the mounting pressure.

No8 Jarrod Aberhart and wing Brenton Connell each scored twice, with Shaun Begg and Chad Lowrie also touching down. Jake Beleski finished with 18 points from six conversions and his two first-half penalties.

Wing Andy Beatson scored all of Riwaka's points, his converted try and two penalty successes helping to bring his season's tally to an impressive 108 points.

Besides Beatson's personal milestone, flanker Manu Parkin was the pick of Riwaka's forward effort.