A devastating contentious umpire call has relegated the Whanganui boys to the play-off for 15 and 16th in the Hatch Cup under-13 national hockey tournament in Auckland.
The team lost to Taranaki 4-3 in crossover play on Friday for 13th Place.
Team manager Cindy Hoskin said the boys lost after full time due to an incorrect call from the umpire who had called a goal from a penalty corner shot which went into the net off the first shot.
"Both teams agreed it was not a goal, but the umpires, after a lengthy discussion, called it a goal," Hoskin said.
"The players were devastated as they had played hard."
Captain Blake Hoskin had an outstanding game scoring two goals with Zach Carline scoring one. The team now has to pick themselves up for the final game against Southland and strive for a win to finish 15th today.