The rugby gods have smiled on the Brumbies, as the visitors at AAMI Park held on for a gutsy 20-15 win over the Melbourne Rebels in their Super Rugby clash.
Last round, the Brumbies looked as if they had a win in the bag over the Chiefs until a penalty kick after the siren forced them to settle for a 19-17 loss.
This time, the Brumbies managed to hold off the rampant Rebels after regular time to book their second win of the season.
The Canberra team were on the wrong side of possession and territory percentages but ahead all night where it counted - the scoreboard.
While it wasn't a game for the showreel, the Brumbies were happy to bide their time and wait for one of the Rebels' many errors and strike when the opportunity arose.
They had just 14 seconds in Melbourne's attacking 22 in the first half and still managed to lead 13-6 thanks to a 20th-minute try by centre Tevita Kurindrani with a move off a line-out.
Just like last week against the reigning champions the Waratahs, the Rebels were still in the match in the final 10 minutes.
They kept the ball in play for 17 phases after the siren, unable to get across the tryline but earning a penalty.
The thrilling finale ended when they turned the ball over in the next play.
The Rebels put the Brumbies' defence under serious pressure early on, but weren't able to capitalise in a frustrating showing.
They had a would-be try by winger Tom English called back due to a knock-on and then lock Luke Jones was held up over the tryline.
As the rain started to fall over Melbourne, the Rebels closed the gap early in the second half to 13-9 through a penalty strike by Mike Harris.
But they took a step backwards when they lost Scott Higginbotham to a yellow card for collapsing a maul.
The skipper had been warned by referee Steve Walsh in the first half to "sort your penalties out".
Straight after the No.8 left the field, Brumbies flanker Jarrad Butler scored at the back of a rolling maul.
He almost got another six minutes later in an identical move, but the Television Match Official ruled he had dropped the ball across the line.
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham admitted it got "emotional" in the coaches box in the dying minutes after last round's heart-break.
"I was very, very pleased that we got away with that win," the former Wallabies five-eighth said.
He said he was proud of the desperation shown by his players to hold out the Rebels at the end with them making 131 tackles to Melbourne's 49.
"Particularly in that last passage guys were clearly exhausted but they were pushing as hard as they could.
"Last week, it was so disappointing to lose the way we did and this week the guys never gave in."
Melbourne coach Tony McGahan preferred to focus on the positive that his team pushed another title contender to the wire.
"There were parts of frustration, frustration that couldn't get enough points on the scoreboard at the end," McGahan said.
"But I was really proud of the effort the lads put in.
"They were tremendous and we had great belief to be able stay in the contest against a strong side.
"While were not far off, we're far enough away the past two weeks to suggest that against the really top sides you need a little extra bit composure and execution."
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