Barry RFC's defence of the WRU Youth Plate was ended in the first round with a 34-17 defeat at home to Rhwbina.
The young Bombers' bid for back-to-back trophies were dashed at the first hurdle by the only team to have beaten them so far this season.
Their cause was not helped by half-term holidays, and a postponement request rejected by the WRU, which left them with just 19 players available.
They were under pressure from the start from a powerful Rhiwbina pack and well-drilled set of backs. Barry repelled wave after wave of attacks with man-of-the-match Mav Jennings in particular putting himself about, but they conceded the first score after six minutes.
The rest of the half proved much the same, with Barry defending their line time and time again. It’s a credit to their effort that they conceded just three more points before half time.
Barry kicked tactically in the second half, but after a 50-22 kick was judged to have gone dead, Rhiwbina capitalised from a scrum back deep in the Barry half, before going over in the corner to extend their lead.
This was now a real uphill battle, but to Barry’s credit, they fought their way back in with Cam Hughes going over from 20 metres out to reduce the deficit to 17-7.
Rhiwbina immediately put on five fresh forwards, and when Hughes was sin-binned for going in at the side of a ruck, Barry found themselves under their posts once more.
The hosts fought back for a second time with tries from Charlie Hutton, after a neat crossfield kick, and Rueben Williams, following a tremendous break from replacement full back Marley Paines-Lang, who had stepped up from the under-16s.
But the vistiors increased their lead, and then grabbed their final try in the last minute to end Barry's reign as Plate holders. But the coaches were full of praise for the effort and fight in the squad.
“The scrum and lineout were good, the lads’ character and fitness cannot be questioned,” said head coach Peter O’Sullivan, “but unfortunately another slow start has cost us. In previous games we’ve fought back and won, but on this occasion Rhiwbina had too much, and the better team won.”
Barry are back in league action on Saturday, with a Cardiff Rugby South 1 fixture at Llandaff.
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