Southern teams bagged a winning double at the finals of the national league in Wellington yesterday.
Both the Southern Men and the Southern Storm recorded their first wins in the tournament after suffering three consecutive losses.
The men beat Northland 2-0, and the women beat Capital 3-2.
It might still be difficult to avoid the wooden spoon, let alone make the top four, but there should be a nice boost in confidence for the Southern teams.
The Southern Men had goals from Black Sticks forward Hugo Inglis and rising star Kane Russell to thank for the win against Northland.
On Saturday, the team showed plenty of spirit in a 4-2 loss to powerful Auckland.
Southern opened the scoring after just five minutes through Australian guest player Liam Brown.
Auckland's Simon Child replied four minutes later, and grabbed his second from a penalty corner shortly before halftime.
Southern started the second half strongly and was rewarded when the impressive Russell drove home a penalty corner after 10 minutes.
Southern repulsed a series of Auckland penalty corners before Ryan Archibald broke the deadlock, knocking home a rebound after 28 minutes.
Dwayne Rowsell made the game safe for Auckland with a powerful drag flick from a penalty corner two minutes from fulltime.
The Southern Storm produced one of its best results in years to beat Capital 3-2 yesterday.
Goals for the Storm were scored by Alex Irwin, Samara Dalziel and Eloise Watson.
Southern needed a pick-me-up after being demolished 4-1 by Northland on Saturday, with Northland scoring all its goals in the first half.
Australian guest player Jess Esslemont and Black Sticks Anna Thorpe and Stacey Michelsen scored field goals in the first 13 minutes as Northland's attack left the Storm gasping.
Northland's Jacinda McLeod then took a powerful drag flick in the 28th minute right in the centre of the goal.
Southern had few real opportunities to score in either half, but Charlotte Henley pounced on a loose ball and found the back of the net from 3m.
Northland had seven penalty corners in the second half but Southern's defence was resolute, with goalkeeper Elizabeth Gifford making some superb saves.
The Storm plays North Harbour today, while the Southern Men have drawn Capital.
