Ty Watson's side needed to beat Gloucestershire by ten points more than Nottingham would beat Birmingham Bulldogs by.
Unfortunately, The Bears won their eleventh out of twelve matches but only by 24 points to 22 whilst Nottingham easily beat Birmngham by 78-4 to win the league.
The Bears will now play possible Bedford in a play-off semi-final next Saturday in Coventry with the winner meeting Nottingham the following week for a place in the National Semi-Final (Aug 24) and possible final (Sept 7).