The Air Chathams Wanganui Under 18's had a hard slog in the mud in Levin as they were put away in the final quarter by the Wellington Samoans, 46-22 on Saturday.
Travelling with the Wanganui Development XV who were also playing in town, the young side were facing an oppositionwith more bulk who have been together for a couple of seasons.
"We had them 22-22 with 24 minutes to go, then they ran over the top of us," said coach Jerome McCrea.
"It was wet and muddy. I don't know if that was a good or a bad thing for us."
As expected in tough conditions, the loose forwards will have a lot more work to do and McCrea said the back three of flankers Dylan Bowater, Angus Taylor and No8 Finau Nimatasau were outstanding.
The team's sponsor Air Chathams will be giving them a lift to their final game this Saturday when they travel to Gisborne to meet Poverty Bay Under 18 in the curtainraiser to the Mitre 10 Heartland Championship clash between Steelform Wanganui and the home side.
"We're flying over at 9am and back at Whanganui at 6.15pm, so it's awesome," said McCrea.
"The boys are looking forward to it. I don't think a couple of boys have ever been on a plane, so they were telling me."
