Star halfback Kendra Cocksedge has scored a try in the closing moments to snatch victory - and regain bragging rights - for Canterbury over Farah Palmer Cup rivals Waikato at Christchurch.
Trailling by three points with three minutes remaining, the southerners launched one last assault on the Waikato line, where Cocksedge darted across close to a ruck for the 29-27 win.
Winners of the four previous women's provincial crowns, Canterbury fell off their perch last year, when Waikato took out a grand final deprived of Black Ferns players, who were preparing for their upcoming northern hemisphere tour.
With internationals back on board, the red-and-blacks built a 19-6 lead -including a try double to winger Martha Mataele - before halftime, but allowed Waikato centre Cheyelle Robins-Reti to cross before the break.
Soon after the restart, prop Tanya Kalounivale scored a try, converted by fullback Renee Holmes, that put the champions into the lead, but Cocksedge regained the initiative with her first try.
Kalounivale's front-row partner, Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, snatched the momentum back with a try also converted by Holmes and Waikato seemed headed for victory, until Cocksedge struck again, dummying right, then left, before scoring untouched.
Canterbury retained their unbeaten start to the season with their third win and kept possession of the JJ Stewart Trophy - the women's equivalent of the Ranfurly Shield.
Meanwhile, Otago Spirit have extended their winning start to the Farah Palmer Cup championship campaign to four games, overrunning Tasman 39-7 at Dunedin.
The southerners dominated their South Island rivals, leading 29-0 at halftime and running in seven unanswered tries - including two to fullback Sheree Hume, before Tasman finally found the scoreboard in the closing moments, with a converted try to replacement Bethan Manners.
The result sees Otago move 10 points clear of second-placed Hawke's Bay on the championship standings, with their next outings scheduled for next Saturday against North Harbour Hibiscus.
Hawke's Bay overwhelmed Taranaki 45-15, with winger Apryll Green and centre Amelia Pasikala scoring two tries each, while Manawatū Cyclones recorded their first win of their premiership season, beating Wellington Pride 35-10, after four opening losses.
Later on Saturday, defending champions Waikato and Canterbury were scheduled to stage a rematch of last year's Farah Palmer Cup final, won 22-20 by Waikato.
Canterbury 29 (Mataele 2, Cocksedge 2, Poko tries; Cocksedge 2 conversions) Waikato 27 (Kalounivale, Tangen-Wainohu, Robins-Reti tries; Holmes 3 conversions & 2 penalties)
Northland 27 (Allen 2, Turner, Johnson, Covacich tries; Murray conversion) North Harbour 23 (Cox & Hutana tries; Hutana 3 penalties & 2 conversions)
Otago 39 (Hume 2, Cunningham, Hill, Miles, Cormick, Campbell tries; Cormick 2 conversions) Tasman 7 (Manners try & conversion)
Hawke's Bay 45 (Green 2, Pasikala 2, Hakiwai, McKay, Tatu-McCafferty tries; Cottrell 5 conversions) Taranaki 15 (Ngaia, Johns, Blyde tries)
Manawatū 38 (Winiata, Olsen-Baker, Sae, Nuku, Dallinger tries; Dallinger 2 conversions & 3 penalties) Wellington 10 (Tagoai try; Newton conversion & penalty)
