The scraping, begging and borrowing has all been worthwhile for the Otago Spirit.
Five months ago, it look as if the Spirit faced a season on the sidelines unless it could find $20,000 to fund a campaign.
But the team put all those struggles behind it with an upset 8-7 win against last year's beaten finalist, Wellington, in the capital on Saturday.
It was a marvellous start to the season for a team cast adrift by its own union.
The Otago Rugby Football Union's self-inflicted dire financial situation forced it to slash its budget and the Spirit was dubbed an expense it could do without.
Rather than fold, the team rallied, raised the funds through the wider community and was reinstated in the competition.
Saturday's victory against Wellington was made that much sweeter because of those struggles, manager Toni Pelasio said.
"The girls are pretty rapt," Pelasio said.
"I guess there was a little bit of the unknown going into the game because of all the drama with not being able to get a team into the competition.
"But I think the girls have a lot of heart and commitment because they did raise the money themselves with a lot of help from the community and people like [All Black] Adam Thomson.
"So the girls are really appreciative and I suppose have a lot to prove and want to thank the community."
The Spirit played into a wind even Wellingtonians would describe as a gale during the first half and was pleased to lead 5-0 at the break.
Right winger Arna McLeod was on the end of a sweeping movement and scored the game's first points after 25 minutes. But Wellington defended well and got its share of the benefit of the doubt.
The Spirit crossed the line on three other occasions only to be denied by the official.
Victoria Nafatali landed a second-half penalty to give the Spirit some breathing space but Wellington replied with a converted try and spent most of the last 15 minutes camped in the Spirit's 22m.
Spirit loosies Kerry Stoddart and Angie Sisifa were outstanding on defence and got good go-forward with the ball.
The Spirit plays Canterbury in Christchurch this weekend.
Women's rugby
The scores
Otago Spirit 8
Arna McLeod try; Victoria Nafatali pen
Wellington 7
Katarina Simpkins try, con
Halftime: Otago 5-0
