NO BEEF BOURGOIN!

Bourgoin 54 Swansea 19

Swansea's hopes of qualifying for the European Conference quarter- finals hanged in the balance last night.

Although given a stern French lesson in Bourgoin, Swa-nsea were in second place in Pool D.

But they were waiting to find out Begles' result against Ebbw Vale, which kicked off late last night.

Begles had to win by a 60-point margin against the Gwent outfit.

But even if Swansea do reach the last eight, they face another daunting journey to France in a fortnight, where they will have to take on in-form Agen. And on the evidence of yesterday's display, they will almost certainly struggle in France again.

In all departments, Swansea could not live with the pace and commitment of Bourgoin, who reached the quarter-finals with an unbeaten record.

Swansea were on the back foot from the very first scrum.

They were pushed backwards all afternoon by the hosts, to the delight of 10,000 screaming Frenchmen who packed into the Stade Pierre Rajon.

On the evidence of Swansea's forward display, they missed Wales international prop Chris Loader and in-form flank forward Colin Charvis.

And their preparations had also been disrupted when they missed their plane to France on Friday night after their coach to the airport broke down.

Swansea's chances of gaining a good result were ominous from the start.

Full-back Nigel Geany put Bourgoin into the lead after just 83 seconds with a drop goal.

It was all downhill from there for struggling Swansea as Bourgoin opened up a 23-3 lead at half-time by running in three tries.

The only points for Swansea came in the first half from the boot of Arwell Thomas.

And he doubled Swansea's tally shortly after half-time with a second penalty.

But Bourgoin went on the rampage to score three more tries, including a cracker from French international centre Stephane Glas.

However, Swansea eventually got back into the game with 15 minutes left with a third penalty for Thomas.

There was also a try for Steve Moore as Swansea closed the all- important points deficit.

But the visitors were hit again with two more tries within three minutes, with Swansea's Euro ambitions hanging by a thread.

However, wing Simon Davies went over for the Welsh side's second try in the final minute.

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