THEY may not have been able to secure a place in the finals on home soil but Bath full-back Ollie Devoto insists his side will only come back stronger after their J.P. Morgan Asset Management Premiership Rugby 7s Series exit.
Things started badly for Bath as they were beaten 29-19 by West Country rivals Gloucester Rugby in the first game, capturing the imagination of the nearly 13,000-strong Kingsholm crowd.
They bounced back in good fashion however against Exeter Chiefs thanks to a try from England U20 star and new signing Anthony Watson and Max Clark who darted over in the final moments to seal a 20-17 win.
But after defeat to eventual group winners Worcester Warriors ended hopes of an appearance at The Rec next Friday, Devoto insisted his side paid the price for their lack of clinical finishing.
"It was tough. I thought our effort was there, we worked hard for each other but maybe were not as clinical as we could have been at times and that is the game of 7s," said Devoto, who saw Worcester and Gloucester progress.
"You could be up a couple of points like we were against Gloucester and then to lose it in the last few minutes was disappointing but credit to Gloucester and especially Worcester who have obviously done a lot of work in pre season.
"It was tough in front of their home crowd. I had played a bit of 7s at school but it is nothing like what we experienced here and at times I was caught wanting a bit but I enjoyed it and enjoy coming to these occasions."
Having played in the J.P. Morgan Premiership Rugby 7s Series last year Devoto was glad to see some new faces show what they can do in a Bath shirt, with the likes of Clark catching his eye.
And although he admitted his own performance could have been far better, Devoto insists such a run out was worthwhile for all members of the squad.
"I thought the younger guys stepped up. I thought Max Clark was very good when he came on and I think we have a lot of bright talent coming through," he added.
"I thought I could have gone a little better personally but I have enjoyed playing with these guys and all in all it was a worthwhile exercise for everyone."
For tickets to the J.P. Morgan Premiership Rugby Series Final at 7pm on Friday, 9 August at The Rec, Bath visit: bathrugby.com/tickets
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