Just a bridge too far.
That was the story for the Wanganui High School first XV, who started their Hurricane Zone Co-Ed Cup final against Feilding HS facing a typical Palmerston North wind and suffered the consequences of a nervous start.
WHS dropped the first high kick to concede a try and made further errors in allowing two more tries and a 25-0 deficit before, as coach Daryl Malcolm put it, "deciding to join in the game".
WHS fought back to 25-18 down before conceding a late try to lose the match 30-18.
But it was a noteworthy fightback at the end of a noteworthy season, with WHS having won 18 matches out of 25, with another two drawn.
Eleven of the players are back next year and should benefit from the experience of going through this Co-Ed Cup competition against good-class opposition. "The occasion got to the boys a wee bit," Malcolm said, "but they fought back well".
Captain Scott Bowater scored WHS's first try after 30 minutes when he grabbed a loose ball and raced 30 metres to score. That made the halftime score 25-5, and WHS then turned with the wind. Sam Malcolm, who had a strong game, kicked two penalties and then the conversion of a try by Joe Edwards off a Malcolm inside pass.
That made it 25-18 with time starting to run short, and WHS could not quite crack the potentially equalling score.
In the end another loose ball allowed Feilding the chance for a final try and a 30-18 win which coach Malcolm said they deserved.
"But the boys can hold their heads high - and they did. They've had a fine season."
Justis Manley-Green, who played half the game at second-five and then moved into prop, and wing Chris Campbell had very strong games.