The Collie Power women travelled to Balingup on Mother's Day to play against Blackwood United, who have just returned to the competition this year.
The morning was a little too warm, with smoke wafting through from controlled burns, setting up an environment not ideal for an 11-player squad.
Blackwood played with great mastery of the game, showing that a year away didn't put a dampener on their abilities or spirits.
They spent a lot of the first half dominating the centre of the park, with their star striker popping the goals into Collie's net with ease.
The first half saw star forward Sarah Vansnick try to score for the fifth consecutive game, but she was closed down by Blackwood's defenders.
The next chance Vansnick got resulted in their defender causing an own goal, but credit has to go to Vansnick for fighting her way through the three players.
An unfortunate tackle in Collie's 18-yard box allowed Blackwood a penalty, and the home side closed out the half with a 2-1 lead.
Knowing they needed players to conserve energy and to reconfigure their structure, Collie shook things up by truly utilising their players' strengths to keep up the fight in the second half.
Midfielders Goya Olecki and Alison McSporran closed down the centre of the park, making things more difficult for Blackwood to work their way to goal.
Defenders Lacey Hale and Shenae Chappell showed great resilience and endurance as they man marked and fought to keep Blackwood's star striker far from goal.
By game's end, the 7-1 score in Blackwood's favour did not reflect the hard yards the Power put into their defending, especially given they had no subs and harsh weather.
Despite the Collie women bringing the bare 11 to the field each week, they appreciate a good challenge and have proved that though they appear to be few, they have the same amount of fight as a full squad.
The Power will cross paths with Blackwood again in a fortnight on our home turf, but not before travelling to play against Dalyellup on Sunday, May 19.