The bureau's sweltering forecast did not disappoint as teams from across the Top End battled it out in the second round of the NT Rugby Union's Summer of Sevens in Katherine over the weekend.
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Playing on home turf, the Katherine Pirates left their opponents scattered as they made their way to the grand final - and won it.
Playing against the Casuarina Cougars in the last, deciding round, the game was drawn at 12 at full time.
But it was a victory for Katherine in the golden-point extra time as they spread the ball wide and scored in the corner winning the game 17-12.
Making a comeback to the wet season sport, rugby sevens: a fast paced game that goes for just 14 minutes, the Katherine's women's team played three series against the Palmerston Crocs.
It was a case of endurance and passion in a game against a team with a wealth of experience which won the Katherine women's team one game out of the three.
"Palmerston underestimated the girl's towards the end, they came out firing in their last game," secretary of the Katherine Rugby Union Sharon Jennings said.
"Palmerston have played for years in the Darwin competition and have state reps, so for our girls, who were taught how to do line outs and scrums five minutes before the game, to win a game is amazing.
"The girls showed great skill and really held their own."
Rugby sevens is making a comeback in Katherine following a tough couple of years for the local competition.
Not long ago, players were in abundance in the main game of the wet season. But as of late, teams have struggled to get those numbers up, and games were often cancelled at the last minute.
Despite temperatures spiking close to 42 degrees on Saturday afternoon at the Katherine Sportsground, 12 teams from the Top End charged onto the field for the competition.
With five of the teams hailing from Katherine, including one team of ringers thrown together at the last minute, the revival is clear.
"We're a force to be reckoned with in this competition," Jennings said.
"To see all of these teams come together is huge moving forward for the Katherine competition."
Not only have the teams proven their skills on field, the Summer of Sevens has sparked renewed enthusiasm for training and future games, Jennings said.
More reading: The women reviving rugby sevens in Katherine
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