Barry RFC fell at the first hurdle in the WRU's Division One Cup after a 33-0 defeat at home to Pwllheli.
The North Walian visitors ran in four tries in the last 20 minutes for a somewhat flattering margin of victory.
But given a lengthy injury list, and the unavailability of several permit players, it was perhaps no surprise that Barry’s makeshift side suffered defeat.
However, for the first hour the Bombers, with several changes from the previous week, were very much in this stop-start match, but failed to make the most of what possession and territory they enjoyed.
Barry’s lineout possession was very much hit and miss, and the Bombers inevitably struggled in the scrum, while throughout play was frequently punctuated by the whistle, allowing neither side the opportunity to put many phases together.
Until the last quarter, it really was something of a war of attrition, although Pwllheli’s frequent pick and go approach always looked slightly the more likely to pay dividends.
Barry could point to a disallowed try by Alyn Evans in the last minute of a scoreless first half, and a second ruled out when the forwards drove over six minutes into the second half - both before the visitors opened their scoring.
Held up was the verdict on both occasions - just two of the official decisions that caused some head shaking. “There were portions of the game we were in control, and had Alyn scored that try, it’s a different game,” said head coach Mike Morgan.
“Unfortunate, disappointing and frustrating that we have two good games on the bounce and then we lose a cup game. For around 60 minutes it was literally anybody’s game."
"Unfortunately injuries came a bit thick and fast there. We started with a disrupted team, and by the end, it was massively disrupted."
“At a certain point the game went away from us, so it was a chance to give some of the players a taste of Division One rugby. But we go into next week stronger for it. We’ve just got to lick our wounds today. Disappointing as it is, there is always next week.”
Barry host bottom club Rhydfyelin in the Admiral League on Saturday with several players available again.
“Our focus on the league this season started a bit rocky,” said Morgan, “but has definitely found its centre in the last couple of games, so let’s get back to that.”
Pwllheli scorers:
Tries - Bedwyr Jones (50'), Eban Parry (60'), Carrog Roberts (68'), Osian Humphreys (75'), Dei Owen (78')
Conversions - Now Williams 4
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Elsewhere, Penarth cruised through to the third round with a 46-16 victory at mid-Wales club COBRA.
Vice captain Andy Richards marked his 100th game for the Bears by scoring one of six twice for the visitors in Powys - with Cian Lewis, Dan Cahalane, Tom Griffiths, Harri Williams and Luc Keane-Adams also going over.
Cowbridge also progressed in the Division Two Cup after beating Pill Harriers 35-12 in the second round.
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