It was a tough start for the Ag Challenge Wanganui Under 16's to their HYRC Series in Palmerston North with a 44-7 loss to Wairarapa-Bush U16 in the opening game yesterday.
Going into the first half wind, Wanganui scored the second try to lead 7-5, but conceeded two scores in the four minutes before halftime to trail 15-7 at the break.
Under the tournament rules, all players must have at least half a game, so changes were made at the break and the bigger Wairarapa-Bush squad got away on Wanganui to rack up another 29 points.
"We had a good start, just a couple of 50-50 passes turned into tryscoring opportunities," said coach Cornell Mason.
The team is being billeted at Feilding Ag school.