Yvonne Willering might have been doing her best to downplay the pressure the Northern Mystics were under after four straight losses in the ANZ Championship, but it was a relieved coach which fronted the press conference.
Shortly after her side fought back to beat the Steel 50-48 at Stadium Southland last night, Willering told the assembled media the win had been ''a long time coming''.
Written off by critics, the win almost eluded the battling franchise.
Trailing by eight goals midway through the crucial third period, the Mystics launched an unlikely comeback.
''We had intensity but just dropped it at certain points and had to regain that,'' Willering said.
''The one thing I'm proud of is the fact the girls still had tremendous belief in themselves. If they had listened to the media, they could have taken a bit of a dive.''
The last four weeks had been frustrating for Willering, who knew her side was not delivering on its potential.
''It has been frustrating knowing what we are capable of and not producing it. Each time I'd come out and say no unforced errors and they were still popping into our game.
''It had got to the stage when enough was enough and it was time to put it together.''
What changed last night, Willering said, was the players took responsibility and, when the match was on the line, eliminated the silly errors and backed themselves.
But at half-time, and part way through the third period when the Steel led 39-31, the home side looked on track for the win.
Former Silver Ferns centre Temepara George imposed herself on the match and helped the Mystics clinch the two-goal win with some accurate passing into shooter Cathrine Latu.
''I think the key, in this game, was when we made mistakes we didn't repeat them,'' George said.
''I think the girls should be proud of themselves because it is a big comeback from eight goals.''
