Well, the Otago Whalers got that feeling.
They held on to beat the Southland Rams 18-14 in a Premiership game at Logan Park on Saturday afternoon.
It was one of the few things they managed to hold on to, though.
Conditions were dreadful. The game was shifted from Tahuna Park to Logan Park at late notice and puddles did not get the memo.
Handling was awkward. The visitors dropped plenty of ball as well. But the Whalers tended to do it when they were reaching out for the try line.
They led 14-4 at the break, but the Rams rallied in the second half and had a late chance to snatch the win.
Veteran Tama Apineru brought up his 50th game for Otago, and former coach David Reedy returned for a one-off game as coach to bring up his 50th as well.
The win helped the Whalers secure second place in section B.
Canterbury beat the Wellington Orcas 34-20 in the capital to win the section and advance to the grand final, where they will play Counties-Manukau in Auckland on Sunday.
Regular Whalers coach Dallas Wade felt his side did not adjust to the wet conditions as well as they could have.
"I do think the boys made it hard on themselves," he said.
"And in the last couple of games, the boys sort of just tried to click but couldn’t, if that makes sense."
The opening 20 minutes against Canterbury late last month proved a turning point in the season.
They found themselves trailing 20-0 after 20 minutes. They fought back with four tries but eventually lost 30-20.
The Whalers were not far off the pace at all and have uncovered some talent.
Scrumhalf Sailusi Temaka is a dangerous playmaker.
Ngatokotoru Mateariki is a try-scorer, and captain Ben Latu is the king of offloads.
Prop Tafa Tafa got stuck in up front and Tofatuimoana Solia is a menacing presence.
The Whalers have one game remaining this season.
They will play the Rams again as part of Otago Rugby League’s centennial celebrations at Labour Weekend.
NZ Premiership
The scores
Otago Whalers 18
Lotu Solomona, Mason Lome-Hindle, Tafa Tafa, Mavae Manuika tries; Sailusi Temaka con.
Southland Rams 14
Faletuluia-Ale-Taofia Iosefa, Fili Hufanga, Dominic Bradley tries; Kaea Nikora-Balloch con.
Halftime: Whalers 14-4.
