diff --git a/model/data_loader.js b/model/data_loader.js
index ca4b8f7a..276acc74 100644
--- a/model/data_loader.js
+++ b/model/data_loader.js
@@ -101,20 +101,34 @@ function initTeams( matches, events, rankingContext ) {
     let teams = [];
 
     function insertTeam( name, players, isForfeitMatch ) {
+        let matchingTeams = teams.filter(team => team.sharesRoster(players));
 
-        let team = teams.find( team => team.sharesRoster(players) );
-        if( team !== undefined ){
-            if ( team.isPendingUpdate === true ){
+        if ( matchingTeams.length > 0 ) {
+            // Utilise a consistent team assignment process, with team path determined at branch diverge, compared to which team was initiated first
+            // Select the team with the most recent match after the divergence
+            let team = matchingTeams.reduce(( oldest, team ) => {
+                let teamLastPlayed = team.teamMatches.length > 0
+                    ? Math.min(...team.teamMatches.map(m => m.match.matchStartTime))
+                    : Infinity; // Handle teams with no matches
+
+                let oldestLastPlayed = oldest.teamMatches.length > 0
+                    ? Math.min(...oldest.teamMatches.map(m => m.match.matchStartTime))
+                    : Infinity;
+
+                return teamLastPlayed < oldestLastPlayed ? team : oldest;
+            }, matchingTeams[0]);
+
+            if ( team.isPendingUpdate === true ) {
                 team.name = name;
                 team.players = players;
                 team.isPendingUpdate = isForfeitMatch;
             }
-            
-            return team;            
-        }
+
+        return team; // Return the matching team that follows branch diverge logic
+    }
 
         let rosterId = teams.length;
-        team = new Team( rosterId, name, players, isForfeitMatch );
+        let team = new Team( rosterId, name, players, isForfeitMatch );
         teams.push( team );
         return team;
     }
@@ -264,4 +278,4 @@ class DataLoader
     }
 }
 
-module.exports = DataLoader;
\ No newline at end of file
+module.exports = DataLoader;