For the second time in two years, the Wanganui High School mixed touch team came within a whisker of claiming the d3 New Zealand Secondary Schools title at Papakura's Bruce Pulman at the weekend.
WHS made last year's mixed-grade final against all expectations and lost 8-7 to Alfriston College, the winning try coming inside the final minute.
Wanting just one game better in 2014, WHS coach and former New Zealand touch captain Sean Brown was gutted when the team were narrowly beaten by another Auckland team in the Cup final, losing 4-3 to Mount Albert Grammar.
"I was very disappointed that we were unable to make the final step, however I'm very proud of the effort that was put in to get to the final again," he said.
In the 20-team mixed grade, only the top three from the Central Region tournament won automatic entry to the nationals.