Barry's Admiral League struggles continued with a 40-15 defeat at Abercynon in Division One East Central.
The Bombers' bid to salvage something from this demanding encounter, in difficult conditions at a wet and muddy Y Parc on Saturday, were boosted by quality tries against their top three opponents, only for their efforts to end in disappointment right at the death.
Abercynon scored three tries in each half, although the sixth - resulting from an infringement that wasn’t spotted - made the margin of victory greater than the hosts really merited.
And that came at a time when Barry, already destined for defeat, were producing a late burst in search of a scoring bonus point. Had they succeeded, it would have been deserved.
Head coach Mike Morgan regularly stresses the importance of bonus points, especially in a losing situation.
"You need to ignore the score on the board. It’s league points we need. It was 33-15 with about ten minutes to go, and a fourth try would have made it 33-22, and given us a bonus point."
"We pushed really hard, and I give the boys credit, they really stuck in. That last play of the game was just unfortunate."
Overall, it was a much improved performance against a team which thrashed the Bombers 48-0 last season. The forwards, who gradually gained equality and more against a tough eight, were involved in Barry’s tries.
“We didn’t really capitalise on the platform provided by the forwards, although we got into a potential scoring position five times,” said Morgan, “and three came off. To do that away, and against a good side like Abercynon is no mean feat.”
Barry were trailing 19-0 before Josh Edwards went over in in the corner in the last minute of the first half, with the ball being fed out from the scrum and then through hands. Dafydd Jones got the second from a catch and drive, four minutes after the interval.
Abercynon added two more tries before Victor Corrihons ended a spell of pressure by bursting away to go over in the corner and giving Barry another glimmer of hope that something could be salvaged.
Abercynon scorers:
Tries – Jack Davis 2, Alex Burton, Jordan Coxley, Lloyd Dennett, Jack Perkins
Conversions - Dean Gunter 5.
Barry have no match on Saturday as scheduled opponents Llanishen are in Division 1 Cup action. The Bombers’ last fixture before Christmas is the Vale derby at Penarth on December 14th.
The Bears romped home to an 84-0 victory at home to second-bottom Rhwibina, which saw George Roberts run in six of the hosts' fourteen tries.
Penarth could go top of the table next Saturday if they win at Abercwmboi in the only Division One fixture of the weekend.
In Division Two, Cowbridge fell to a narrow 17-15 defeat at Pentyrch while Llantwit Major returned to action after a three-week break with a 56-14 win over Penygraig in Division Three.
Dinas Powys were 27-3 victors at Ynysowen in Division Four, while Old Penarthians lost 34-8 at Llandrindod Wells in Division Five.
In the WRU Women's Championship, Old Penarthians beat CR Cymry Caerdydd 12-7.
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