Bath Rugby missed out on a place in next week's JP Morgan Asset Management Premiership Rugby 7s Series final at The Rec with a third-place finish in tonight's opening pool round at Kingsholm.
A youthful Bath squad managed a solitary victory over Exeter Chiefs as Worcester Warriors topped the group with a clean sweep on wins, followed by hosts Gloucester in runners-up spot.
An opening defeat to the Cherry and Whites meant Bath were on the back foot from the off but they gave themselves hope with a last-gasp defeat of Exeter.
Bath's chances suffered a near fatal blow when Worcester came from behind to record victory in the Blue, Black and Whites' last match and their fate was confirmed when Gloucester triumphed over Exeter in the evening's finale.
The display of Anthony Watson provided some consolation for travelling Bath fans, with the new recruit from London Irish scoring in all three matches.
Academy director Danny Grewcock will also be pleased that several of his youngsters got their chance to perform on the big stage, although the club will ultimately left Kingsholm disappointed at missing out on the chance to claim some pre-season silverware on home turf next Friday.BATH RUGBY 19 GLOUCESTER 29
Bath were beaten by a dominant second-half display from Gloucester when they got the evening's action under way.
Things looked promising for Bath when Chris Cook touched down early on, converted by Ollie Devoto, before Gareth Evans hit back with a try for Gloucester.
Watson then crossed on his first appearance in a Bath jersey but Steph Reynolds darted over the whitewash to bring the Cherry and Whites within two points at the break.
Gloucester picked up where they left off in the second half and Rhodri McAtee and Billy Burns touched down in quick succession, with Burns converting his own score.
Guest player from the Army Tuvita Tamatawale gave Bath hope with a try he converted himself but Reynolds' second score of the match, converted by Burns, wrapped up the win.EXETER CHIEFS 17 BATH RUGBY 20
Academy member Max Clark touched down with the final play of the match to keep Bath's hopes of qualification alive with a narrow win over Exeter.
Raymond Bishop's try gave Bath an early lead and he was quickly followed over the line by fellow Army player Tamatawale, who intercepted a Chiefs lineout close to the whitewash.
Tom Dowding's score halved the gap at the interval but Watson ran in his second try of the evening soon after the restart to restore the ten-point advantage.
A quickfire double from Stuart Townsend, alongside a Ben Vellacott conversion, put Exeter ahead for the first time in the match but Clark ensured Bath had the final say as his try snatched the win and bonus point at the death.BATH RUGBY 14 WORCESTER WARRIORS 27
Bath's hopes of reaching the final were scuppered when they shipped 15 points without reply against pool winners Worcester.
Paul Hodgson's try gave Warriors the advantage and Tiff Eden added the extras but Bath struck back when Watson scored for the third game in a row, converted by Tamatawale.
Worcester got themselves ahead again when Richard De Carpentier crossed the whitewash but Bath led at the break when Tamatawale converted Bishop's late score.
The wheels fell off for Bath when the second half got under way, however, with Tom Chapman touching down to kick start Warriors' comeback.
Eden then put the game to bed by grabbing a try, penalty and conversion which – coupled with Gloucester's subsequent victory over Exeter – ended Bath's hopes of qualifying for next week's final.
