"This is a frustrating loss," Central coach Brian Archibald said. "I knew it was going to be a tough match. I knew they’re a good team."

But the Rams (10-7, 1-2 CCC South) had an excellent opportunity to pick up a victory, he added, because Platt (10-4, 2-1) was missing its team captain and best wrestler, Jason Franks, who usually wrestles in the 119 slot. Central’s A.J. Boi picked up a quick six points at that weight class when he pinned Rob Cross in 15 seconds.

Still, Platt coach Bryan McCarty said, "The team pulled together and we did what we had to do."

Central’s Adam DellaBianca won by pin in 3:42 over Aley Salas in the opening 112 match before Boi’s pin gave Central a 12-0 lead. Mike Fiorini (at 125) increased that to 16-0 with a major decision over Matt Shidler, 12-4.

Platt’s Mike Fiefer won by a 7-3 decision over Sean Malenfant in the 130 match, Central’s Pat Fanelli won via an 11-1 major decision over Matt McGoldrick at 135, Platt’s Dan Mingrino won by a 3-1 decision in overtime over Dan Aparo at 140, then Central’s Mike McMahon gave the Rams a 23-6 lead in the meet with his 9-5 victory by decision over Tim Rozanski.

Although Central had a solid lead after the first seven matches, McCarty said his team’s wins at the 130 and 140 weight classes -- both narrow victories -- helped keep the meet close.

Archibald was especially displeased that Aparo was unable to earn more than a single point during the 140-pound match.

"He’s a senior captain. I expected a lot more out of him," Archibald said.

Throughout the meet, however, the Rams let key chances go by to earn six-point victories, he added.

"We lost the match because we let opportunities go by to get pins," Archibald said. "Matches like this come down to who pins and who doesn’t get pinned. ... We just didn’t finish."

The tide turned when Platt’s Charlie Feliciano and John Curry each won by pin in the 152 and 160 classes. Central’s Matt Dabrowski picked up three points with an 8-4 decision over Matt Nocera at 171, but the Rams forfeited the 189-pound match, cutting their lead to just two points at 26-24.

"That hurts (having no wrestlers at 189 pounds). We start down 6-0 every time we wrestle," Archibald said.

In the 215 match, Platt’s Brandon Manning picked up a key 3-2 decision over Bruce Guilmette, who still has Central’s best individual record at 17-3 this season. The Rams’ loss in that match put Platt ahead in the meet for the first time, and the Panthers clinched the victory when Jesse Sullivan pinned Eric Tuller at the 1:56 mark of the heavyweight match.

Platt’s Craig Miniter defeated Kyle Dess by a 9-4 decision in the 103-pound match to end the meet.

Archibald noted that Tuller, Dabrowski and Kevin Barnett, who wrestled in the 160-pound match, are all freshmen. There are also two sophomores among the starters.

"I got a group of young kids, but somewhere somebody’s got to step up," he said. "I’m pleased with what they’re doing. They seem to be enjoying it. They seem to be learning. But somewhere along the line, something has to click."

CORRECTION: Bristol Central finished in sole possession of third place in Monday’s Bristol Central Invitational. The Rams finished with 162 points while Plainville finished fourth with 152 points. Mohonosen High from Rotterdam, N.Y. won the tournament with 173.5 points with Eastern second with 167 points.