STAYING calm under pressure - it was a quality which led Panthers to a hard-fought 52-47 victory over Collegians Mystified on Saturday and means they head into the Bathurst Netball Association's A grade finals with a confidence boost.
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Ultimately Collegians still finished as minor premiers and Panthers in second - the pair separated by goal difference - which means they will meet again in the major semi-final.
But Panthers coach Di Coombes feels the confidence gained from beating Collegians for the first time since August 4 last year and snapping Mystified's four-game winning streak against them is a bonus.
"To come away with the win today, we're happy with it, but it doesn't count this week, we want to do it again next week," she said.
"It is good for us mentally though, now we know that we can do it.
"I thought our shooters were calm, D [Danita Lane] stepped up when she had too and just calmed it down.
"It was a close game, a good game and that's how it should be, that's how you want it to be."
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There were a host of momentum swings and lead changes throughout Saturday's final round match, defending premiers Collegians enjoying the stronger start to be 13-10 up at the first change.
But in the second quarter Panthers fought back.
They outscored their rivals 15-7 for the quarter to see them head into half-time with a 25-21 advantage.
Showing the qualities which saw them string together 17 consecutive wins - 12 of them this season - heading into the match against Panthers, Collegians lifted in response.
Centre Amy Belfanti and wing attack Kate Fallon helped drive the ball quickly through centre court and into Collegians shooters Georgia Teirney and Pearl Grimmett.
Three minutes into the third quarter they were back on level terms and Panthers were under pressure.
But the calmness Coombes spoke of saw momentum switch again. Goal defence Sophie Stammers and centre Ella Welsh both forced turnovers and with a quarter to play, Panthers were up 38-35.
The last 15 minutes were an arm wrestle, but Panthers pulled off some important plays to win by five goals.
Lane secured three offensive rebounds, goal keeper Lilly McIntosh and wing attack Gaby Bugg took intercepts, while Stammers was responsible for forcing a turnover as well.
"It was a good game, I think our angles were good and everyone had a good try today," Coombes said.
"We had a few different combinations too, Soph went back in to defence, she's usually our centre. I thought that worked well."
