Things are starting to fall into place for the Southern Steel as they finally get close to their season opener.
The Steel headed to Christchurch for their second preseason tournament at the weekend, and while they returned with only one win, there were again promising signs they were tracking in the right direction.
They recorded a 46-35 win over the Central Pulse, who are still waiting on some key players to return to the court, and stayed in touch in a 62-58 loss to the Mainland Tactix.
The Steel also lost 41-38 to the Christchurch men.
They were competitive in both of their losses, news that will please fans ahead of the ANZ Premiership season.
Co-captain Kimiora Poi and workhorse Renee Savai’inaea were on limited minutes as they worked their way back from injury niggles, while Australian defender Dakota Thomas has yet to take the court.
It was another chance for head coach Wendy Frew to test combinations and work out how they can approach the new two-point shot in different scenarios.
Two weeks ago, the Steel also produced good results at the annual preseason tournament in Otaki.
They beat the Pulse 53-41 and lost 50-42 to the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic and 88-72 to the defending champion Northern Mystics — the latter two results coming through the two-point shot period.
The Steel get their season under way in a southern derby against the Tactix in Christchurch on Sunday week.
Dunedin will host the Steel’s first home game — the only game in Dunedin this season — against the Mystics on May 26.
