No matter what the sport, every athlete knows finals is a different beast.
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It creates plenty of nerves and they were clear to see in Saturday's Group 11 league tag elimination semi-final.
But the Wellington Cowgirls managed to overcome that and downed a gallant and under-strength Macquarie Raidettes in a gripping encounter.
In a match that was in the balance right until the final seconds, a Tiffany Clarke double led Wellington to a scrappy but entertaining 10-6 victory.
Wellington legend and Cowgirls coach Mick Peachey kept his players composed in the crucial stages late-on, ensuring a place in next weekend's minor semi-final in the process.
"We turned over a fair bit of ball but for a few of them it was the first time in the semis and they were nervous to start with," Peachey said.
"That was expected ... when you play the semis for the first time it gets to you but they came away with the win and that's all you need to do."
For the Raidettes the disappointment was clear at full-time.
But despite the pain of being knocked out of the running this season, there was also a huge amount of pride within the squad.
The new-look group endured upheaval just four rounds into the season when Jess Skinner was forced to come in and coach in place of Tony Sutherland.
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Skinner had family commitments and couldn't be at Kennard Park on Saturday, while captain Serena Prout was out of the country on holiday, and leading halfback Tarlee Roberts was out injured.
They just headlined the group unavailable for the sudden death game, leaving the Raidettes' Zoe Warwick immensely proud of her side despite the result.
"We've been through so much this year and there was was a few dropped balls today but full credit goes to us because we've been through so much," a hobbling Warwick said.
"Next year will be a better year."
The Raidettes were under the pump almost immediately after Clarke scored in the opening minutes, but just when it seemed the hosts were really taking control Kyra Sutcliffe charged down a Britt Naden kick, regathered the loose ball and sprinted 55m to score.
The sides went into the break at 6-all before a second half littered with errors.
The Cowgirls were forced to get through a huge amount of defence but after holding out, they managed to work the ball downfield and Clarke regathered her own grubber, which was fumbled by the Raidettes, and scored with just over 10 to go.
Her conversion was waved away but through more spirited defence, and some poor handling from Macquarie, the hosts got the job done.
"We've come a long way from 58-0 (loss) in the first round but they've been working and going to training and we'll take each game as it comes in the semis," Peachey said.
"CYMS is the standout and has been all year and they're undefeated going into semis so you try and reach the standard they've set and that's what I'm trying to teach them."
The loss not only ends the Raidettes' season, but also that of the Macquare club as a whole.
The league tag side was the only of the four grades to make finals.
"We've got so strong over the last month and it shows we are a good side," Warwick said of the Raidettes making finals.
"This year we looked good but after so many hurdles we still came out as good as we could and we were the only team in the club in finals.
"It shows we flew the flag high and put in all our effort."