Not since the start of the millennium in 2000 have the Mustangs experienced a winning streak like this, but on Saturday night the Sutherland Sharks became the Mustangs’ latest victims in their string of success.

The Mustangs turned a two-point lead at three quarter time into a 71-61 victory in front of a strong and vocal home crowd at the Federation Centre.

Mustangs coach Mark Wawszkowicz said the girls were no longer easy beats after another “awesome” performance that created a little bit of history along the way.

“It is the first time in eight years we have won three in a row so it is onwards and upwards from here,” Wawszkowicz said.

“We are now in uncharted waters.”

These waters might be uncharted for the Mustangs but they are much cleaner and much clearer than they have ever been before.

Winning basketball matches can do that for a team and after the weekend’s effort the Mustangs have now won half of their eight matches.

The four victories equal their efforts for the entire season in 2004 and 2006 and is one win shy of seasons 2003 and 2005.

Since 2003 the Mustangs have not finished higher than 10th on the competition ladder and last year they sat on the bottom of the heap.

But with 10 rounds remaining in 2008 the Mustangs sit in seventh place and for the first time ever the Maitland representatives are a genuine shot of making the playoffs of the state-wide competition.

For Wawszkowicz it is all part of the plan.

“We have a five step plan this season,” he said.

“The first step was to beat last year’s team and we have done that.

“The next step was to beat the team from 2006, who won four games, and we have done that.

“The third step is to make the playoffs. That is now our next step.”

And with performances like the one produced by the Mustangs on Saturday night there is no reason why they can’t play finals basketball.

The Mustangs outscored, out-rebounded and simply outplayed the Sutherland squad in an excellent team display.

Wawszkowicz said while Opals player Natalie Porter, in her first match in Maitland, contributed to the win the Mustangs did not rely on the marquee signing.

Four Mustangs reached double figures, their best scoring spread this season.

The team lead for most of the match and won three out of the four quarters.

More importantly the Mustangs held their nerve when it mattered most and converted a 53-51 three-quarter time lead into a 10-point victory.

Wawszkowicz said Haylee McCrohon was pivotal to the Mustangs victory in what he described as an outstanding individual display.

McCrohon scored 14 points, shot at 78 percent and secured six rebounds.