The NZ Heartland Under-19 XV and their Wanganui representatives did not get the start they wanted at the Jock Hobbs Memorial U-19 competition in Taupo on Sunday.
Heartland was defeated by Counties-Manukau 31-13 in their first game.
They had managed to close the gap to 21-13 while Counties had aman in the sinbin, as No8 Filipo Veamatahau (North Otago) scored from a powerful surge from the back of a 5m scrum, after prop and captain Charlie Henare had been held up over the line.
However, Counties worked a smart play from the scrum for their first-five to dummy into the gap and score under the posts, before getting a penalty in injury time of the 70 minute match to wrap things up.
Kaierau's Joe Edwards started the match in the front row, while Taihape back Taylor Transom started on the bench.
