Tenby United's dreams of a long run in the Principality Welsh Cup floundered at the second hurdle at Heywood Lane on Saturday as they crashed out of the Blue Riband tournament thanks to a 12-3 defeat at the hands of 13 man Gilfach Goch.
Although it will be the National League division four (east) Gilfach side that now progresses to the second round instead of their division four (west) counterparts, neither side emerged from this broiling encounter with much honour.
In a hot tempered game, referee Mr. Steve Watkin had warned both captains early on that he was not afraid to use the ultimate sanction if the game did not settle down and he was true to his word, with one Tenby player and two of the Gilfach team being sent for an early bath while Tenby also had another player sin binned for 10 minutes.
Although there was a little overlap, when both teams were reduced to 13 men, Tenby held numerical supremacy for most of the second half and it is to Gilfach's credit that they refused to buckle despite the Seasiders' two man advantage up front following the sendings off of hooker Dai Thomas and number eight Mike Griffiths.
After two wins out of their first three matches, including a convincing win in the preliminary round of the Cup, hopes were high for Tenby to make progress in the competition, but they seemed out of sorts from the outset.
They struggled to get the basics right to secure second phase while debutant hooker, Dafydd Lewis - making his first start in place of injured skipper Richard Rossiter - had a torrid time finding his target in the lines out, gifting Gilfach lock Scott Western, the opportunity to cream platform ball for his side.
Tenby opened the scoring in somewhat controversial fashion when they were awarded a penalty six metres in front of the posts.
Pivot Neil Powling miscued his kick and many felt that the ball had sailed under the crossbar. However, the Gilfach line runner sportingly was the first to raise his flag signalling a fair goal and the Seasiders were three points up.
With big impact players pressing the gain line, Gilfach had the United under pressure and, although he missed with one penalty visiting scrum half Ryan Jones soon put his side back on terms with a second three pointer.
Powling fired another penalty wide at the other end before Jones edged Gilfach in front with his second successful penalty of the afternoon.
Tenby's disappointment in seeing hardworking wing Paul Luger sidelined by injury midway through the first half was tempered by the welcome return to United colours of Steve Hartland, on permit from Whitland, but to the crowd's frustration, the Seasiders were unable to win enough ball to give the straight running wing his head.
He, fellow wing Kim Harland and fullback Darren Rees did try to raise the tempo with some jinking runs, but they came from too deep to make any real headway against the tight Gilfach defence.
Capitalising on unforced errors, slipshod handling and turnover ball, Gilfach kept the Seasiders on the back foot for much of the second quarter but the Tenby resolve held, denying them the opportunity to turn pressure into points.
Shortly after the break Gilfach were reduced to 14 men when number eight Griffiths was red carded for dangerous play in the loose but it did not phase the visitors, who edged further ahead through another Jones penalty.
Tenby rang the changes introducing Neil Truman for Carl Broaders, Mark Badham for Paul Bevan and Gavin Nicholas for Gene Hocking.
Nicholas was only on the pitch for a matter of seconds however, Mr. Watkin showing him the yellow card at his first contact for an over zealous tackle.
Mr. Watkin was reaching for the cards again, a red one this time, when he spotted an alleged headbutt from Gilfach hooker Dai Thomas, but Tenby were unable to punish the visitors further, Powling's penalty kick swinging wide.
Gilfach nudged further in front with another Jones penalty before Tenby lost the services of Truman, red carded for an indiscretion at the breakdown of a flowing three-quarter move.
At least two scores behind Tenby went for broke in the closing stages, but despite acting skipper Nicky Allen leading by example as always and some productive work, they were unable to capitalise on their two man advantage in the pack.
Although they were pinned in the top corner for most of the remaining passages of play, the Gilfach defence held resolute, gifting them a passage into the next round of the Cup.
Tenby return to league action tomorrow (Saturday) when they welcome old rivals Haverfordwest to Heywood Lane.
Match sponsors were Peter KIdney and Steve Hilling, while the match ball sponsors were Wyn Griffiths, Mike Wainwright, Andrew Brace, The Evergreen Inn and Sion Brace.
Tenby United: Darren Rees, Paul Luger, Carl Broaders, Gavin Brace, Kim Harland, Neil Powling, Oliver Brace, Lee Tucker, Dafydd Lewis, Paul Bevan, Gene Hocking, Paul Broaders, Nick Roch, Anthony Griffiths, Nicky Allen (Capt.).