The Wanganui boys under-15 hockey side have fallen at the final hurdle for the second year in a row at the national tournament in Wellington.
Having beaten Auckland in the semi-final, Wanganui were looking to going one step further in Saturday's final against South Canterbury. But they fell behind earlyand despite dominating the second half could not peg the South Islanders back.
Coach Andrew Spence said opening exchanges didn't quite go to plan. "We were behind the ball probably after the first 20 minutes," he said. "I think we played much better hockey in the second half but the opportunity was lost I think."
The South Canterbury players used the two-goal buffer to their advantage, shutting Wanganui out.
"Their defence was able to get the ball and throw it back. We gave it 100 per cent, all the boys did really," Spence said.
He was happy with the tournament overall but would have liked to have gone one better. "You don't state that you're happy with coming second," he said. "They deserved to be in the final."
In Christchurch, the Wanganui under-15 girls ran out of puff after two extra-time playoffs on the bounce before going down 4-0 in the playoff for third, against South Canterbury.
"The girls went really well and played really good hockey," coach Jan Dixon said.
