Robinson refuses to throw in the towel
December 11, 1999

Bath coach Andy Robinson refuses to accept that his side's interest in the Heineken Cup is effectively over after last night's Pool 2 defeat at Swansea.

They must win their remaining three matches including a daunting trip to tournament favourites Toulouse and then hope that other results work in their favour.

"We've got to win against Swansea next week, and if we can play in Toulouse like we did last night, then we can win there," said Robinson.

"I am so disappointed for the players, who gave everything. It was an outstanding performance, but one mistake cost us the match," he added.

Meanwhile, All Whites' hero Arwel Thomas admitted that the hosts had "got out of jail" with their dramatic 10-9 victory.

Former Wales fly-half Thomas came off the substitutes' bench to score all of Swansea's points after Bath had led 9-0 with six minutes remaining.

Thomas struck with a last-minute try which he also converted, leaving Bath facing a monumental task to reach the quarter-finals.

"I was very disappointed to be left out of the starting line-up for this game, but Lee Davies has been playing well," Thomas said.

"I came on when conditions were at their best, and managed to accept the one chance that got us out of jail.

"We have still some tough games ahead but there is no doubt that we can qualify for the knock-out stages."

Llanelli stormed to a superb victory in Pool 3 at the home of defending European Cup champions Ulster in Belfast.

It was a Scarlets success hewn out of a magnificent forward effort at a cold and extremely wet Ravenhill.

Llanelli produced some scintillating power rugby, with Chris Wyatt and Scott Quinnell prominent up front, and they proceeded to destroy Ulster in the forward exchanges.

Wyatt and centre Salesi Finau grabbed the all-important tries for the visitors.

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