Heads were bowed, arms were folded and disappointment enveloped their faces.
The Hawke's Bay under-19 boys softball team were a shattered bunch after losing the final of their national tournament 10-4 to Auckland at Akina Park, Hastings yesterday.
They were eager to give their coach Paul Woon a winning farewell as it was his final outing as a Bay coach, before he retires from all coaching in the province at the end of the summer, and for six of the squad it was their final opportunity to win an age grade title.
But Woon, who has coached at rep level for more than 10 years and at club level for almost three decades, had every right to be proud of his lads who finished the four days with seven wins and three losses.
"It was still a bloody good effort. This team was just as good as the 2008 Bay team which won the last under-19 tournament we had here in Hastings. The only difference is they won," Woon said.