And that is exactly the way Otago was feeling last night when it grabbed a 33-28 win over Northland.
The slick and smooth play from six days ago against Wellington was not there and the side rather waddled its way across the finish line instead of breaking the tape with glee.
But a win is a win and one should not complain - Otago scored four tries and now has the maximum 15 points from its first three games.
Otago captain Paul Grant said in the end it was a good win, but there was some disappointing aspects in the performance.
''We are pretty tough on ourselves and probably in that second half we were not up to the mark,'' he said.
''We struggled to get momentum. A lot of mistakes near our own 20m-30m line. But it was good to get a win.
''It was not just one thing - a lineout would get held up, we seemed to get penalise a lot and we struggled to get out of our own 22m. I can't put an exact science on it.
''It was just one of those nights when it just did not click. In the end we just had to get back to the basics. Catch and carry and get our skills up and that is what we train for.
''They are a dangerous team and test you around the ruck. But we got the four tries and the bonus point, so we've got to be happy.''
He said playing three games in 11 days could not be a reason for the performance.
The side's scrum wobbled badly in the first half but a change in the front row early in the second half solidified the Otago scrum. Otago did not help itself by not controlling the kick-offs it received, losing momentum straight after scoring.
The major injury worry to come out of the game was a blow to the shoulder of lock Blair Tweed, putting his season in jeopardy.
Otago sealed the game when centre Matt Faddes ran into a gap to score a try with less than 10 minutes left.
Best for the home team was first five-eighth Fletcher Smith and lock Tom Franklin, while winger Jack Wilson helped himself to two tries and was generally very tidy.
Otago always looked the more dangerous side in the first half but Northland was a feisty opponent and every time it conceded points it came straight back with a well judged kick-off which immediately put the home side on the back foot.
The home side got off to a great start with a try to openside flanker Naulia Dawai.
Otago ran down the sideline, almost getting to the tryline only to be held up by some tenacious Northland defence.
The ball came back and Smith cross kicked for Dawai, who fended off a couple of ineffective tackles to score the try.
The teams then traded penalties before Northland scored just before the half hour mark.
Otago failed to clear a high kick and Northland picked up the ball and was lowered just before the line. It shifted the ball to the right and No 8 Matt Mactich went over.
The home side had the last say of the half when it drove to the line and after a nice long pass from Smith, fullback Michael Collins drew the final man and winger Wilson scored in the corner.