HEINEKEN CUP POOL 6 Calvisano (10) 26: Tries: Vaccari, Raineri. Cons: Fraser 2. Pens: Fraser 4. Warriors (21) 28: Tries: D Jones, Wyatt, G Thomas, Cooper. Cons: Sweeney 4. Att: 1,500

Deiniol Jones and the three Gareths - Wyatt, Cooper and Thomas - scored the four tries to give Warriors what could have been a vital bonus point.

But Wasps' 34-6 win in Perpignan saw them top Pool Six to qualify for the quarter-finals instead of the Warriors.

Nevertheless, the Warriors can still be proud of their performance in what is the new region's inaugral season.

The Warriors needed to gain all five points on offer at the Centro Sportivo San Michele, then hope that Perpignan could beat Wasps with neither side gaining a bonus point.

However, Wasps not only won but scored four tries of their own to finish comfortably ahead of the Warriors in the final Pool Six table.

Calvisano's New Zealand outside-half Gerard Fraser gave the Italians an early lead with a fourth-minute penalty, but that did not distract the Warriors from their priority of scoring tries for the precious bonus point.

The Welsh region showed their intention of chasing a quarter-final spot by opting to place their first kickable penalty into touch and were rewarded with a try.

Maama Molitika took the lineout and handed off to Deiniol Jones to barge over from close range.

The second and third tries followed in quick succession, first British Lion Dafydd James standing up in the tackle to offload for the flying Gareth Wyatt to score.

We should be disappointed because we haven't qualified, but it's a journey we'll be better players for and it will make us stronger as a region Warriors skipper Gareth Thomas

Then hard-grafting back row Corry Harris sent Wales scrum-half Gareth Cooper racing over for the third within 23 minutes.

All three scores were converted by fly-half Ceri Sweeney and the Warriors were looking good.

But Calvisano were not to be underestimated having won two games in the Heineken Cup last season, including one at home over Neath.

The warning signs were there, as Fraser's pace from a quickly taken penalty sent Italy international Paolo Vaccari over under the posts to close the gap to 21-10 before half-time.

The momentum was still with the home side after the break, as Fraser punished Warriors' indiscipline with two early penalties to narrow the lead to just five points.

Warriors were rocking, but inspirational captain Thomas steadied the ship and also wrapped up the important bonus point.

The Wales back charged down Fraser's clearance and won the race as the ball bounced over the line, with Sweeney again kicking the extras.

Calvisano staged a spirited fight-back in the closing stages, Fraser slotting a fourth penalty before centre Giovanni Raineri ensure a nervous last 15 minutes with a converted try to make it 28-26.

The Warriors defended frantically to earn the win but their efforts were in vain as the result from France filtered through.

Calvisano: M Ravazzolo; P Vaccari, G Raineri, C Zanoletti, A Vodo; G Fraser, P Griffen; G De Carli (capt), A Moretti, S Perugini, L Mastrodomenico, J Purll, C Mayerhofler, A De Rossi, M Zaffiri.
Replacements: D Davo, M Castrogiovanni, G Intoppa, R Mandelli, P Canavosio, E Mulieri, N Mazzuccato.

Celtic Warriors: G Wyatt; D James, S Parker, G Thomas (capt), A Havili; C Sweeney, G Cooper; G Jenkins, M Davies, C Horsman, D Jones, R Sidoli, M Molitika, C Harris, R Parks.
Replacements: M Rees, C Loader, B Cockbain, N Kelly, S Martens, N Jenkins, J Bryant.

Referee: Rob Dickson (Scotland).