Worcester Warriors saw dreams of JP Morgan Premiership Rugby 7s Series glory end in the Finals at The Recreation Ground in Bath.
Warriors went into the showpiece final of the tournament on the back of winning Pool 1 in unbeaten style at Gloucester and keen to build on the momentum gained at Kingsholm.
A number of young stars again took the chance to shine at the home of Bath Rugby with Max Stelling, Tom Chapman and George De Cothi among the try scorers on the night.
But an opening defeat to Leicester Tigers was followed by a battling loss to Harlequins as Warriors bowed out of the competition in the group stages.
Game One: Warriors 12 Leicester 35
Academy starlet Max Stelling grabbed a brace of tries as Leicester Tigers defeated Worcester Warriors 35-12 in the opening game of the night in Bath.
Youngster George De Cothi showed his pace down the left in the opening minute, but his pass infield was forward and Ben Howard was stopped in his tracks back by the officials as he tore away towards the line.
Rhodri Davies opened the scoring for Leicester when exploited a gap in midfield and showed his acceleration to run under the posts.
Some slick handling from James Stephenson and Howard looked to unlock Tigers, but it was Leicester that were dominating territory and a second try from Jake Farnworth extended the lead to 14-0.
Tiff Eden showed some nice handling close to the left touchline, but his kick ahead into space for Stephenson was denied by a foot in touch.
Captain Richard De Carpentier was then sin binned on the stroke of half-time for a dangerous tackle on Leicester skipper Scott Steele.
Clinical Leicester used the numerical advantage to strike again after the break with Ollie Turton grabbing a third try while Cameron Goodhue made his debut as a replacement.
Tom Chapman and Paul Hodgson looked to spark Worcester into life and a brilliant offload in the tackle from Howard sent Stelling over to reduce the lead to 21-5.
But within seconds Stef Jones grabbed a quick-fire brace to end the game as a contest with a long range effort from Stelling completing the scoring.
Game Two: Warriors 14 Harlequins 29
A spirited second half fight-back came up just short as Warriors slipped to a second defeat of the night against much fancied Harlequins.
Cameron Goodhue started for Warriors and immediately crashed through a tackle and offloaded to Richard de Carpentier who was bundled into touch.
Tiff Eden showed some neat skill to try and keep the ball alive while Tom Chapman looked to accelerate around his man but was hauled back.
Harlequins used the full width of the pitch as they swung the ball right and then left before Jordan Burns showed his finishing skills to dot down in the corner for the opening score.
Stelling was inventive from deep as he arched a run around to find a gap but it was the Londoners who extended the lead when Miles Mantella raced in on the right for a 10-0 lead.
Quins secured a third try less than 40 seconds into the second period when Jordan Burns scorched over.
James Stephenson broke from deep and combined with Ben Howard before Chapman flopped over from close range with Tiff Eden adding the extras.
Seconds later a race to a hack ahead was won by George De Cothi but as Eden slotted the conversion he injured himself and was helped off.
Mantella eased any nerves in the Harlequins camp with a long range score and Charlie Walker rolled out of a tackle to complete the night’s events for Warriors.