The Ladysmith Secondary senior boys’ rugby team hit a bumpy playoff road last week.
Coach Pete Kis-Toth said Ladysmith finished the season undefeated but ended in second place behind the toughest Brentwood side.
The playoff road started with a commanding 19-0 win against the side from Mark Isfeld on May 9.
The game was for the right to play Brentwood.
Two key players were injured in the game against Mark Isfeld, which would hurt the team later in the week.
“It definitely had some impact,” said Kis-Toth.
Ladysmith fought a hard match against Brentwood on May 12, but came up short for an easy berth to provincials. But Kis-Toth was not making excuses, noting Brentwood is a hard side.
“We couldn’t match their game plan. They play at a much higher level from us.”
Kis-Toth said the game was a great learning experience for the players and coaches who will be able to take what they learned hopefully to the provincial level.
“This is a taste of the kind of rugby we will be facing.”
Ladysmith now has to face the second place team from the South Island for the chance to compete at provincials in June.