Wakefield coach John Kear hailed his side's grit after watching the Wildcats begin their Super League campaign with a hard-fought 18-10 win over Harlequins.
In a game of immense physicality, and one that saw both Richard Moore for the visitors and Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook for the hosts red-carded, Wakefield always seemed to have that little extra.
Kear lauded his side for digging in for the two points, saying: "I thought we showed some very good character and some very good resistance.
"I know that this is a very tough place to win at and I have come unstuck here before.
"I am very happy with the result and happy with most of the performance.
"Obviously there is stuff to work on for next week and we need more sharpness in a few areas.
"But this bedded in a few of the new players and that is a big plus.
"As far as the sendings-off went, I honestly did not see what happened - it seemed to just blow up so I will have to look at it on DVD."
With tough defence from both sides, most notably the hosts, the game was touch and go throughout.
But the visitors always looked the more likely winners, having taken an early lead through Daryl Millard's try.
For the hosts, debutant Ben Jones-Bishop proved a shining light, and his searing break hauled the hosts back into the contest midway through the opening half.
Minutes before half-time though the Wildcats pulled clear thanks to Ben Jeffries' excellent try, only for Jones-Bishop to claim his second after the interval.
It was left to Wakefield full-back Aaron Murphy to settle matters, rounding off a flowing move to touch down.
There was still time for tempers to flare with both Moore and McCarthy-Scarsbrook dismissed after a melee at a scrum.
Quins coach Brian McDermott opted to take a philosophical approach to the loss.
He said: "We wanted to give ourselves something to build on for the coming weeks and we did that.
"We knew we were not going to be at our best today but there was plenty of encouragement.
"In Ben Jones-Bishop we have someone who is pure class - I'm not going to start talking about England or anything like that but he is that good.
"We just need to move forward and stay positive."