Swansea University captain Richard Smart blamed mistakes for missing out on a quarter-final place to Bath University in the Bucs Cup.

Smart said lack of discipline, needless penalties, errors and failed new lineout calls ultimately cost his side.

“I’m a bit gutted really,” he said. “We would have liked a nice cup run really.”

Swansea were drawing 13-13 with 10 minutes to go before Bath took advantage of Swansea’s inexperience.

“I genuinely though we were going to win until we gave away some stupid penalties, a couple of stupid errors on their [try] line,” added Smart.

“I do not think we executed the upand- under as well as we could.”

Bath started the game brightly, capitalising on Swansea’s lack of discipline and fly-half Vinne Comve scored an early penalty from inside Swansea’s 22.

This was shortly followed by a try for Bath from Hugo Gavett but the conversion was missed by Comve from the left-hand side of the posts, leaving it 8-0 to Bath.

Five minutes before of half-time, Swansea scored their only try of the game when Smart bundled himself and the ball over the line on the left wing.

The try was expertly converted by fly-half Aled Lewis leaving Swansea trailing by one point.

Two minutes after half-time though, Bath regained full control of the match with another try from Tom Ellies.

Yet again, Comve failed to succeed in the conversion attempt, but they led 13-7.

Swansea’s Lewis scored two penalties in quick succession to bring the score 13-13 with 10 minutes left.

But the closing stages were error-ridden by the home side allowing, with Comve capitalising and scoring a further six points, both from penalties, ensuring Swansea’s cup run was over.

Swansea University 1sts 13-19 University of Bath 1sts

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