An experienced Canterbury side edged Otago 59-52 in the national championship game at the Edgar Centre on Saturday.
While the result was disappointing for Otago, coach Deb Tasi-Cordtz was thrilled with the progress her side had made during the past month.
Otago was summarily dismissed in two warm-up games against its northern neighbour in August and made a poor start to the campaign with a narrow loss to Wellington in Porirua last week.
Tasi-Cordtz knew her side was capable of better, and it delivered a much-improved performance.
"That was a real step up," Tasi-Cordtz said after the game.
"The girls took on board what they had been told and learned from our experience last week. It was 10 times better.
"Considering who we were up against, we are really pleased with where we are heading. Another two goals and a bonus point would have been nice, though."
Improvement aside, the match still slipped away from Otago.
Canterbury posted seven unanswered goals in a damaging period during the second quarter.
That proved to be a decisive break.
The visiting side then made sure of the victory with an outstanding final period on defence, conceding just seven goals.
"We've got to stop those rolls and create some for ourselves. We would get a roll of three goals but did not manage to push on from there.
"We need to learn, when things are going [well], to push a bit harder. When it's not, we need to find a way to stop it."
Otago made a positive start, stealing a three-goal march.
But it was not long before Canterbury was able to assert some defensive pressure, with goal defence Charlotte Kight and wing defence Hayley Crofts doing a superb job of shutting down their opponents.
Otago was forced to send its centre pass backwards more often than not.
Kight kept the pressure up in the shooting circle, forcing Te Paea Selby-Rickit to take shots from deep in the zone - a task she was mostly equal to.
It was the shots closer to the hoop which often proved more difficult.
"We've talked to her about her long shots and she is comfortable shooting from there," Tasi-Cordtz said.
"If they are going through the hoop I guess it does not matter where you stand.
"I was really pleased with the shooting end, but there were a couple of missed opportunities - quite close underneath and at crucial times.
"It is just about taking your time and maybe relaxing too much when it is a closer shot."
Canterbury wing attack Maree Bowden delivered superior ball to her shooters and goal attack Anna Thompson also made some fabulous passes.
The best was a two-handed bullet pass which found Ellen Halpenny positioned perfectly under the net.
She popped the goal in to give Canterbury an 18-15 lead at the first break.
The telling break came in the second quarter.
Canterbury took advantage of a sloppy period by the home side and punished Otago with seven unanswered goals.
Otago was forced to play catch-up from that point - twice closing to within two goals, only to falter and let Canterbury re-establish its buffer.
Canterbury's experience showed in the final quarter as it shut down Otago's attack end.
Shannon Francois was one of the best for Otago.
The energetic wing attack made some nice touches and kept busy.
Claire Kersten made an impact when she came on at wing defence, and Selby-Rickit was superb from long range.
Otago's next match is against Western in Dunedin on Sunday.
In a low-scoring game in Invercargill on Saturday, Wellington beat Southland 37-22.
Auckland beat Western 55-49 yesterday.
National champs
The scores
Canterbury 59
Ellen Halpenny 37/44, Anna Thompson 22/28
Otago 52
Te Paea Selby-Rickit 37/49, Greir Campbell 15/20
Quarter 18-15, halftime 37-31, three-quarter 47-45
