Last-minute heartbreaker

Hockey PHOTO/FILE

The national under-15 boys championship slipped through Wanganui's fingers after West Coast won a nerve-racking penalty shootout 4-3 following the scoreless deadlock in the final in Hamilton on Saturday.

Having won their five previous matches at the Gallagher Hockey Centre, Wanganui were confident but found the defence-orientated Coasters, covered at the back by keeper Ben Pratt, were able to grind them down.

"It was heartbreaking stuff," said coach Andrew Spence. "We had people come up from Wanganui to watch, which was appreciated. We were probably the better team but when it came to putting the ball in the back of the net, I think their goalie played very well."

While Wanganui had big 6-0 wins in their pool matches, West Coast were used to close affairs - winning two pool games 2-1 and drawing the third 2-2.

"The West Coast boys were quite big and well conditioned," said Spence.

"So when they saw we played the passing game, they would just hammer it down the other end, making our guys chase it."

Top goalscorer Ryan Gray got a green card in the 42nd minute, while Ronan Spence was given a yellow with 60 seconds left.

At 0-0, it went to the best-of-five shootout and Pratt was able to keep one more out than Wanganui's Tim Reardon.

Spence said the team took it hard because while they received silver medals, it felt as though they had lost without being truly beaten.

"It was pretty disappointing. The boys played really well."

Six of the senior players will now move on to under-18 level, leaving about 10 eligible for next year's national championships.

That will be held in Wellington and after fifth in 2013 and runnerup this year, Spence was hopeful that Wanganui would be able to "finish the job" in2015.