Missing four key players just 48 hours after a van accident, the Southern Steel toppled the Mainland Tactix 51-46 in Christchurch last night.
It trailed nearly the whole game, but a big fourth quarter saw it edge in front and then pull away.
The experienced defensive duo of Jane Watson and Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit were key. They helped hold the Tactix to just five goals in that quarter, while the Steel was able to score 13 times at the other end.
The team was missing Jhaniele Fowler-Reid, Shannon Francois, Wendy Frew and Te Paea Selby-Rickit, all having spent time in hospital after Monday's accident.
That meant it was always going to battle, but battle it did.
The connections were disjointed, the speed noticeably slower. But it did what it had to as it never let the Tactix get away, then stepped it up when it needed to.
Coach Reinga Bloxham said the win was massive for the team.
''It has been a tough couple of days for us, so I sort of felt we could do it if we could just keep possession.
''It just meant so much for the players that couldn't be here tonight and for Wendy and Shannon, who were here but couldn't play.
''It just showed the heart and guts that we've got and the absolute fight that they just stuck in there, so it was awesome.''
She had been proud of the performance throughout, particularly with four players coming in from the South Beko League side.
Several youngsters stepped up, notably Jennifer O'Connell, who filled the sizeable shoes of Jhaniele Fowler-Reid and made 38 goals from 45 attempts.
Nothing separated the teams early and the Tactix took a 14-13 lead into the break.
Goals did not come as readily as normal for the Steel, but it still operated well enough to pull in the Tactix every time it opened a lead.
Defensively it remained strong, slowing the Tactix down through the midcourt and forcing it to work the circle to get the ball to its shooters.
The Steel continued to battle through the second quarter, although the Tactix always had a slight upper hand.
It extended its lead to 29-26 at halftime, having led by four at one stage.
The third quarter followed a similar pattern, the Tactix holding its lead at 41-38.
At that point the Steel rallied through to the end.
Bloxham would not speculate when the injured quartet would return, but said they needed some time to recover.
''I think the main reason [they did not play] is that they need some time to heal physically and definitely emotionally.
''They're players, but first and foremost they're people and we have to look after our people to make sure they can do the best job.
''I think they are doing OK and I think that performance tonight is going to give them a lot of heart and sort of warm the soul a bit.
''So it's going to be a day-by-day thing for us and we're just going to have to see what each day brings.''
