Bargoed RFC’s losing run in the Principality Premiership has increased to eight games following defeat at Carmarthen Quins on Saturday, January 12.
The Bulls crashed to a 39-17 defeat and remain rooted to 15th place in the league table, above only crisis-hit Neath.
Bargoed last tasted league victory in October, when they beat Aberavon.
Captain Rhys Morgan returned to the side to face the Quins having missed the WRU National Cup victory at Newcastle Emlyn on Saturday, January 5.
Bargoed started the game with the intention to attack but were penalised at the break-down and conceded a penalty, which was kicked by Aled Thomas to give the hosts a 3-0 lead.
Jordan Howells then set up James Leadbitter to score the opening try to give Bargoed the lead. Josh Prosser added the conversion.
Carmarthen responded well and forced a penalty, choosing to put in a cross kick which resulted in Thomas scoring in the corner. Thomas missed the chance to convert his own try but his side now had a slender lead.
Thomas made no mistake in kicking a penalty following Louis Blacker’s yellow-card, which saw Bargoed temporarily down to 14 men.
Bargoed worked hard to reduce the impact of being a man down and managed to close the gap to 11-10 after a Prosser penalty.
The West Wales outfit responded by upping their game and using the extra man to their advantage. But the Bulls remained resolute.
Blacker re-entered the field but saw his side concede a try to Dale Ford, who gave the Quins a 18-10 lead at half-time.
Three minutes into the second half, Thomas kicked the conversion after Quins centre Osian Knott scored under the posts.
Bargoed slipped further behind after they conceded a penalty, which the Quins kicked to the corner. After a lineout drive, the hosts moved the ball into midfield and back-rower Lewis Millin broke through to grab his sides’ fourth try and a bonus point. The conversion was successful and Bargoed now found themselves 32-10 down.
A fifth Carmarthen try, this time from hooker Torin Myhill, increased the Quins’ lead to 39-10 after Thomas’ successful conversion.
Jordan Howells then scored a consolation try to reduce the lead, with Callum Jones converting.
Bargoed brought on a number of replacements, including Adam Coupe, who returns after a long injury lay-off.
But despite a dominant end to the game, Bargoed were defeated 39-17.
Bargoed Head Coach David Lynch said: “We conceded just before half time and then had an awful start to the second half as we conceded 21 points in 15 minutes.
“We then competed well for the majority of the second half but these are game changing moments, with small margins between winning and losing. Next week is a huge game for us with Cross Keys winning this week, and momentum is squarely with the Keys going into this one.”
Bargoed are back in Principality Premiership action on Saturday (January 19) when they face Cross Keys away.