Lloyd Williams insists Cardiff Blues must be more clinical, following Saturday’s Challenge Cup defeat to Leicester Tigers.
Aled Summerhill crossed for Wales’ Capital Region’s only try of the game, as Tom Hardwick’s last gasp penalty sealed victory for the Gallagher Premiership outfit.
The wing also had an effort chalked off in the second half, with the Blues having their fair share of attacking opportunities throughout the 80 minutes but were unable to make them count.
The scrum half, who recently played his 200th game for his home region, believes there were some positives to his side’s play but says the side are bitterly disappointed to lose at home.
“We spoke about playing quick rugby today, and I thought we did that, but we coughed up a lot of ball in their 22,” said the Welsh international.
“We gave up possession too easily in their 22 and we can’t afford to do that. I felt like we created a lot of opportunities and played some good stuff but ultimately if you don’t capitalise on those opportunities then the scoreboard won’t tick over.
“It was frustrating and it felt like we were playing into their hands quite a bit at times. They liked to get off the line defensively and at times we fed that, but it’s easy to look at one facet of play and blame that.
“On the whole, when we look back, there were a few opportunities we blew where we shouldn’t have.
“Aled [Summerhill] was a couple of centimetres from staying in-field and adding a try, and it’s the little thing like that.
“During the week it’s hard to prep for a team, because you’re not sure which team is going to be picked.
“We were prepared for a strong Leicester side, and that’s what we got even though it was different personnel. They’ve got quality throughout.
“The biggest disappointment for us was that we lost at home, regardless of opposition and selection.
“That’s a really big disappointment for us. We don’t take that lightly.”
The defeat leaves Cardiff Blues in second place in Pool 5, but with all to play for as they prepare for a December double-header against Pau.
Williams admits his side will have to bounce back by claiming away victories in order to stand a chance of qualifying for the knockout rounds, but insists the side are fully focused on this weekend’s Guinness PRO14 clash against Benetton Rugby.
“The result leaves us with a bit to do in the group. We have to go out and get a couple of away wins and win the rest of our home matches,” added the scrum half.
“But it’s straight back into the league for us now. We haven’t got time to dwell on that result at the moment, and I’m sure when we’re back into Europe we can look back at this match and where we’re at.
“We just need to make sure we’re performing a little bit better than we are at the moment if we want to get through.
“Stranger things do happen in the group stages of Europe but this was always going to be a tough group and we knew that if we could play the brand we like to play then we’d have a good chance of getting out of it.
“There’s a long way to go and we’re certainly not writing ourselves off.”