TODD Blackadder was disappointed with certain refereeing decisions after Bath lost their Anglo-Welsh Cup clash to a late Falcons score at Kingston Park.

At 15-9, Bath seemed to heading for victory only for Falcons winger Zach Kibirige to score under the posts to snatch a 16-15 win for the home side.

Bath director of rugby Blackadder questioned the refereeing of Dewi Phillips after the match.

He said: "I thought my boys played pretty well.

"The first half was pretty average to be honest - one for the purists I guess - but the second half saw a bit more rugby played.

"To get ourselves into a good position with 15 minutes to go and then lose - let's say some of those decisions were very interesting.

"It's just too frustrating and you have to be careful not to say something stupid. If that had been a Premiership game with something on the line, it just shows you how something like that can affect the outcome.

"Let's say I was just very disappointed with the last 15 minutes."

Both sides made a host of changes as both had no prospect of progressing further in the competition and Blackadder added: "The number of changes did make the game a bit messy although it did improve as the conditions got better.

"I think everyone was probably trying a bit too hard and the game didn't really flow but among all that there was some really brilliant rugby from both sides."

Dean Richards, Blackadder's opposite number at Newcastle, agreed.

"Yes, it was a bit scrappy but we'll take the win," he said. "It's probably the first time for a long time we've played badly and won. I was really pleased with that.

"It does wonders for the teams' confidence when you can come back from six points down and win it. There were a lot of the lads coming back from injury and who hadn't played for a while so it was always going to be scrappy but we went out there and turned in a winning performance.

"The side don't give in, they love playing with each other and like being in each other's company. The club is in a good place just now.

"Nili Latu was immense in the contact area today. We knew he would have an impact coming off the bench and he didn't disappoint us or the crowd."