Still smarting from a 2-0 loss to Northland on Sunday, Southern produced its best performance of the tournament to stun Auckland 4-3 in Christchurch yesterday.
Coach Dave Ross was elated with his side's performance.
"It was outstanding.
"The guys really stood up," he said.
Southern trailed 2-1 at half-time but a brilliant reverse stick from Callum Bailey levelled the match and Australian import Nick Budgeon hammered in a second corner to give his side the lead midway through the period.
Haughton Gilbert deflected a cross from Damien Watson to stretch the lead to 4-2 with 10 minutes remaining.
Auckland rallied, scoring a third and Southern had to hold on for a final tense five minutes while the northerners threw everything into getting an equaliser.
"We had to regroup [after the loss to Northland] and keep belief in our structure.
"We knew if we stuck with it and got it right we could actually compete with the best," Ross said.
"I don't think a Southern [Men's] team has beaten Auckland since back in the '60s, I guess.
"It's been a long time anyway."
The women's side suffered a fourth consecutive loss but there was one moment to celebrate.
The embattled Storm had conceded 20 goals without scoring in the previous three matches so when Monique Wilson scored a goal to equalise midway through the first period the smiles returned.
The Storm could not stick with North Harbour in the second half and eventually lost 4-1, but coach Mark Smithells described it as a much-improved display.
The Southern teams play Wellington (men) and Central (women) today.
