A courageous comeback wasn't enough for Hastings Boys' High School to secure the national secondary schools' rugby title in Palmerston North today.
Mt Albert Grammar beat HBHS 14-13 after leading 8-3 at halftime.
HBHS coach Mark Ozich had no qualms about his troops turning down a handy 39th-minute penalty whichcould have been the difference at the final whistle.
"The boys backed themselves and that's the way we've played all year.
"While today was a tough day at the office there was a lot of fight and a lot of ticker displayed by the boys. Nobody rated them.
"We've come from nowhere and won the Hurricanes and Super 8 titles and made this final. With most of the boys available again next year there's no reason why we can't be in the final again," Ozich said.
Scorers: Mt Albert Grammar 14 (Isaiah Papali'i try; Oliver Shepherd 3 pens) Hastings Boys' High School 13 (Jeriah Mua try; Danny Toala 2 pens, con). Halftime: Mt Albert 8-3.
