A record-setting 29-point haul from Taranaki first five-eighth Beauden Barrett helped his side to a 39-33 win over ITM Cup premiership leaders Bay of Plenty in New Plymouth.
Barrett, the New Zealand under-20 star, knocked over nine penalties and a conversion but his side only just held out a remarkable comeback from the visitors, who came close to snatching victory.
Barrett's record beat the old mark set by Tasman's Tom Marshall, ironically against Bay of Plenty in Blenheim last year.
He also equalled Andrew Mehrtens' New Zealand first-class record, set in a Tri-Nations match against Australia in 1999.
The win helped Taranaki into second place, although with two late tries, Bay of Plenty still came away with two bonus points to maintain their lead in the competition.