St Pat's Silverstream first XV gutted after last-minute loss

Gut-wrenching best sums up how the St Pat's Silverstream first XV felt after conceding a late try against Gisborne Boys' High in Palmerston North on Saturday.

Silverstream were ahead 11-8 and, with time almost up, Gisborne Boys scored a converted try to win the game 15-11.

The win means Gisborne Boys will represent the Hurricanes schools zone in the national top four secondary school rugby competition in Rotorua this weekend.

"We had some pretty disappointed boys," Silverstream assistant coach Nick Tait said. "We had boys sitting on the field who were quite upset.

"They had set the top four as a goal and to have it taken away at the end just hurt that bit more."

However, focusing on the team's other achievements this winter, including ending a 10-year drought with the Premier Trophy, soon had the desired effect. "We talked about our season and ... they soon perked up."

Meanwhile, in the Hurricanes girls' final, Aotea College were beaten by Feilding High School.

- © Fairfax NZ News