Just four points behind deep into the second half, the Welsh region sensed an opportunity - but Louis Ludik's second try and a bonus-point score from Paul Marshall put the hosts out of sight.
John was full of praise for the way his side wrestled their way back into the contest but admitted a frustrating first half had always left them with an uphill battle.
"We were without the ball for most of the first half and we hadn't really got into the game or tested them as they opened up an 18-0 lead," said John.
"If we had scored at the end of the first half, when we had all that pressure, we would have been pleased when you consider the bad start we had. We were disappointed not to score then.
"It was a great effort second half to get back to 21-17 and with ten minutes to go we were looking at a bonus point, a draw, certainly getting something from the game.
"The game was breaking up and we had a lot of tired bodies out there. When it opened up it probably suited them more.
"Eventually a couple of errors towards the end nullified that comeback and overall we have still got to be disappointed with that result. But I am pleased with the effort second half and we can build on that."
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