Leela Beattie Photo/File
The women players, who answered an SOS call from all four corners, saved Whanganui's Christie Cup defence against a strong Taranaki team on a thrilling day of tennis in New Plymouth on Sunday.
Playing 12 singles, six doubles and six mixed doubles matches to decide the interprovincial trophy, in Taranaki's first challenge in over a season, Whanganui lost all their men's singles and doubles matches, while the women compiled a 100 per cent winning record for the scoreline to be deadlocked 9-9 entering the mixed doubles section.
Those games were tied 2-2 heading into the last two matches and it was Michael O'Callaghan and Sean Edmonds, who spokesman Dave Butters said showed "nerves of steel", teaming with the returning Paige Hourigan and Leela Beattie to get Whanganui home 13-11.
It was a small miracle that Hourigan and Beattie, who Butters said "played like men", were even on the Rotokare courts.
"The girls were phenomenal. We didn't have a team, it was a last minute scramble."
Hourigan had literally just stepped off the plane in Whanganui on Saturday, after returning from the holiday break at Georgia Tech in the United States, when she was convinced to fly up to New Plymouth with her body clock still haywire.
A glum Beattie had lost the semifinals of the women's singles at the national championships in Auckland, and had just been defeated in the women's doubles final, yet even she picked her chin up and answered the call, flying into Taranaki.
"It was amazing she was willing to come down," said Dave Butters.
They were desperately needed as the team were without professional Emma Hayman and their No1 man Kyle Butters, who ironically both return to Whanganui this coming weekend.
Their men's professional Victor Romero has switched allegiance to his home in Manawatu, while regular captain Simon O'Leary was also unavailable, with veteran Karen Cranston becoming the first woman to captain Whanganui.
"That left a dent in the team," said development officer Gene Ridgway regarding Romero, O'Leary and Kyle Butters absence.
"Ladies are the strength of the team, there's no doubt about that."
Cranston, Hourigan, Beattie, Paris Butters, Dana Hiri and Rebekah Butters-Chamberlain proceeded to sweep their singles games, with Tara Butters coming in for the doubles, which were three more wins.
But the men were in a tough spot, with young Taylor Quirk asked to move from No5 spot to the No1, while Edmonds, Patrice Mathey, Tim McKenzie, Nick Caton, and Craig Davey filled the other spots along with O'Callaghan in the doubles.
They were facing Taranaki veterans like Graeme Mitchell, and young standouts Jordan Fleming, Caleb Fleming and the Rai's - Ajeet and Amrit.
Dave Butters said Quirk held his own but as expected was overmatched, yet even the hopes of stealing one crucial doubles game evaporated when the men were easily dispatched 3-0.
Mixing back in with their in-form women, Whanganui won the first two mixed doubles matches for 11-9, before Taranaki levelled with two wins.
"It came down to the last two doubles games," said Dave Butters.
In front of an excited crowd, Taranaki thought their leading men's players could carry the remaining games, but they hadn't figured on a world-ranked junior in Hourigan and a New Zealand top 5 player in Beattie .
Dave Butters said the best moment was when the home fans were stunned into silence.
"Taranaki were gutted. They couldn't believe it.
"I didn't think you can lose every men's match and still win the thing. I don't think that has ever happened."
Whanganui will now go on to defend the Christie Cup against Manawatu on February 28.
While Hourigan and Kyle Butters won't be available, the rest of the team should play and the men will be reinforced by O'Leary and former development officer Wilton Atkins.