Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau A1 is satisfied with how their new-look side performed against the wider region's champions at the weekend.
Ultimately Kaierau only finished fourth in the Super League out of the six top teams from Wanganui, Taranaki, Manawatu and Horowhenua.
However, they picked up back to back victoriesat the TSB in Hawera on Saturday while at the same time giving each of their 15 players valuable court time before the start of local season.
Fatigue caught up with the squad on Sunday against the two Manawatu teams whose own competitions are in the process of beginning now rather than May.
After some withdrawals and a number of off-season defections, specifically to the new East Club SportsEdge, the 2012 Premier 1 champions have only three survivors from that team.
They bounced back after the previous weekend's loss to Taranaki's Raukura in Wanganui to beat Horowhenua Allstars 69-41 and Rampage Tysons Premier 41-40 on Saturday in Hawera.
Kaierau coach Marie Kinloch said they got precious court time to check all their combinations.
After the Raukura loss a "walking session" was held to improve the team's ball control through the court.
It came in handy in a tight match with the Rampage, as the scoreline swung like a pendulum throughout the match, no team able to establish more than a four point advantage at any time.
"The flying fists were going at quartertime," said Kinloch.
A lot of adrenaline had been used up, as the team drove home then returned the next day.
They were well beaten by Tu Toa, the full-time sports academy players, 63-36 in the morning, and despite a improved effort could not peg back Massey A1 in the afternoon, losing 64-42.
Kaierau will now put their energies into the Sport Wanganui-run Ultimate Training Session on April 4.
They plan to play another pre-season match with Massey A1, then play in the Fast Five tournament on April 13.
