The NSW Waratahs are all but certain to miss the top eight following a 27-7 loss to the Western Force in Perth.
Darren Coleman's side struck first before conceding 27 unanswered points as the Force flexed their muscles on home soil, keeping their own finals hopes alive in the process.
Here’s what we learnt:
This was always going to be a high stakes game and the Tahs had everything to lose.
NSW needed a third win to keep their faint finals hopes alive and the Force needed a fourth to stay within striking distance of the top eight.
The visitors started brightly through Mark Nawaqanitawase but failed to score over the next 73 minutes as the Sea of Blue swept through their east coast rivals.
Tries to Ben Donaldson, Bayley Kuenzle and Reed Prinsep did the damage as time ticked away in Jake Gordon's 100th NSW cap - tough way to celebrate a milestone.
Spare a thought for the Tahs’ front row unit.
Already down at least nine regular tight forwards, the New South Welshman lost another with Lewis Ponini limping from the field midway through the second half.
Unsurprisingly, the Force were dominant at set piece all night, stealing three lineouts and forcing six scrum penalties against the understaffed Tahs.
Things went from bad to worse when Brad Amituanai saw yellow for repeated scrum infringements, leading to a pushover try for Reed Prinsep.
Rotten luck on the Tahs part but brutally and well exploited by the Force.
They're still two points behind the Fijian Drua after going within inches of a bonus point try but there's genuine belief growing in the Force camp.
Simon Cron's side will enter next week's clash with the Reds off back-to-back wins and the confidence that comes from an earlier win over the Queenslanders in Round 5.
A flying start back in Marchsaw them lead 28-5 at half time before emerging 40-31 victors and while it's a tougher prospect at Suncorp Stadium, former Queenslanders Hamish Stewart, Harry Hoopert and Izack Rodda will be chomping at the bit to keep the Force's season alive.
A win would set the tone for a blockbuster final clash/unofficial quarter final with the Brumbies back in Perth.
There's been more than a few comparisons made between Bayley Kuenzle and former Wallabies utility Reece Hodge this season.
Granted, Kuenzle and Hodge share a bigger frame and versatility across the backline, but there's an argument to be made the former has found his calling on the wing.
Kuenzle's positioning to hold width and support Kurtley Beale yielded an early try and his strength in contact almost delivered the finish of the season out wide with 20 seconds to play. Throw in a few heavy tackles for good measure.
There's still plenty of wing craft to learn but Kuenzle could well find himself a long-term option out wide if his form continues.
He was briefly mentioned above but Jake Gordon's 100th NSW cap deserves its own segment regardless of tonight's result.
There's been no better servant of NSW rugby over the past eight years with Gordon turning out performances from every corner of the state, including 99 Super Rugby caps and a tour match in Japan for the Waratahs.
Throw in Shute Shield titles, NRC campaigns, Super and Test caps - Flash has done and seen it all.
Gordon was again tireless in his milestone match, making seven tackles without a miss and winning a turnover in 65 minutes.
