The Otumoetai Eels proved too slippery for the Pikiao Warriors with a resounding 36-12 victory at Mitchell Park on Saturday.
The Eels scored seven tries to two and romped away with the game, playing into a stiff breeze in the second spell, after the teams were level 6-6 at the break.
The victory moves the Eels into the top three in the Bay of Plenty Coastline premier grade table and after a slow start they look likely title contenders.
The return to the fold after a break away for experienced campaigners Josh Weedon and Michael Johnston is a factor in the team's form reversal, but the intensity in defence from all the players is what did Pikiao in the end.
Hooker Willy Rutene was one of the stars of the day, scoring two tries under the posts with carbon copy darts from dummy half that split the game open for the Eels.