GEORGE Messum says Oxford University must concentrate on performances rather than results as they continued their Varsity preparations with a 24-8 defeat at Blackheath.

The Dark Blues were made to pay for a disjointed first half against the National League 1 outfit on Tuesday night.

And their cause was not helped after a three-and-a-half hour bus trip to south east London left them with only 35 minutes to prepare for the match.

Messum said: “It would be nice to get a win, but the most important thing is to learn from the experience, going away from home to a tough and physical Blackheath team.

“But that’s exactly what we needed because it is going to be more physical and challenging as the weeks go on.

“I am delighted with the heart and effort the guys have put in, but it is about being a bit more tactically smart.”

The Dark Blues headed to Blackheath looking to build on a positive second-half showing in a 36-17 defeat to Worcester Warriors’ second string at Iffley Road on October 13.

But they suffered an early blow when scrum half Matt Shorthose was taken off injured just four minutes into the match.

Blackheath ultimately enjoyed the better of the opening 40 minutes, scoring three tries to lead 19-3 at half-time.

Fly half George Cullen landed a penalty for the Dark Blues’ only score in the first half.

The visitors came out after the break with renewed intensity and were rewarded with a try from centre Ed David, but Cullen’s conversion came back off a post.

David’s try did not spark a revival and the final word went to the hosts, who crossed for an unconverted try with five minutes remaining.