Tim Braban | 11th July 2011| The Chronicle

AFTER two straight win-less years, the Toowoomba Mountaineers have been able to do what no one thought possible at the beginning of the year – post back-to-back wins.

Long suffering fans were treated to an unlikely come-from-behind 91-86 victory over the finals-bound Northside Wizards at the Clive Berghofer Recreation Centre on Saturday.

The Mountaineers then took the confidence from that win into their round eight replay with Maroochydore yesterday and did it all again, despatching the Clippers 80-75.

Toowoomba was tired and down on troops for yesterday’s game, taking only seven players to Maroochydore.

But each of the players who took part in that game had an impact.

Point guard James Legan again starred for Toowoomba, scoring 30 points against Northside and 23 against Maroochydore.

But on both nights he had ample help from his team-mates, with local products Stephen Kluck and Charles and Anthony Dickerson all playing their part.

However men’s coach Pop Dickerson reserved most of his praise for Anthony Tribe, who played his first games of the year at the weekend, and D-League player Piok Piok, who was drafted into the Mountaineers’ line-up for the Maroochydore game with Kluck and Chris Hamill both unavailable.

“They were two really positive additions to the team and made a big difference,” Dickerson said.

The Mountaineers have struggled all year to close games out.

So often they were in with a chance to win in the final quarter, only to have victory slip away.

Not anymore.

On Saturday, Northside raced out to a 15-point lead at quarter-time.

But instead of throwing in the towel, Toowoomba fought back to have scores level at three-quarter time and went on to win the game.

They were able to do it again yesterday, coming from behind at three-quarter time to get the win they should have had two weeks ago.

Dickerson said he feels vindicated by yesterday’s win, after a scorers’ error stole victory away from the Mountaineers in the original round eight game a fortnight ago.

“We beat them at their place two times in a row so they can’t be complaining,” he said.

And he is convinced this is only the beginning for the team, who he now believes can challenge the competition’s top sides.

“Looking back, I wish we had Gladstone and Mackay and those other teams now,” Dickerson said.

“The Aussie boys did a good job.

"I just want them to stay positive and continue to improve.

"Things are finally moving in the right direction.”

Unfortunately, the news from the weekend wasn’t all good with the women’s side going down to Northside 82-43.

Toowoomba shot at only 32.2 per cent from the field, with Stephanie Mylonas and Jennifer Chard the only players to break double figures for the Mountaineers.