Olly Sadler of Tawa-Lyndhurst beat Thorndon’s George Stoupe in the No 1 match but Thorndon took the overall contest on a count-back.
Rulings won’t affect the top half of draws, however, after Thorndon finished strongly in the final round to beat defending men’s champions and rivals Tawa-Lyndhurst on count-back.
Another upset unfolded in the women’s draw with Lower Hutt beating Paraparaumu Beach, a side struggling without their star Leela Beattie this round.
Khandallah beat Wellington 4-2 while Titahi Bay were clean swept by Tawa-Lyndhurst 6-0 and will hope for some easier play in the second grade.
