OXFORD University came close to a spirited fightback but ultimately fell to a 27-19 defeat to the British Police.

The students trailed 21-0 after half an hour as the visitors capitalised on individual errors at Iffley Road.

Tries from Tom Stileman, Jacob Goss and Noah Miller gave Oxford hope.

But Chris Scott kicked two late penalties to end their comeback bid.

With captain Fergus Taylor, Henry Hughes and Will Wilson rested, as well as Henry de Berker (leg) and Nic Roberts-Huntley (concussion) out injured, it was an opportunity for others to stake a claim for a place in the Varsity Match starting XV on December 8.

The Dark Blues dominated the opening quarter of an hour, but were made to pay for not making their pressure count.

On 19 minutes, the visitors kicked to the corner and from the lineout the ball was spun to centre Ryan Moffet who breezed over. Josh Sear added the extras.

The students looked to respond, but when full back Matt Geiger fumbled a Police clearance kick on his own ten-metre line they were in trouble.

That mistake was duly punished as Dai Francis danced through after a scrum. Sear converted to make it 14-0 after 23 minutes.

Once again, Oxford pushed their visitors back but Basil Strang's pass was intercepted by Ross McEwan and the winger ran in unopposed from his own 22m line on 30 minutes. Sear added the extras.

However, on the stroke of half-time the home side were rewarded for their endeavour as Stileman, playing at centre rather than on the wing, skipped a number of tackles to dive over. Strang converted from out wide.

Oxford started the second half on the front foot, but when the Police did have the ball in hand they looked dangerous.

And brilliant defensive work was needed to keep the visitors, who looked certain to drive over from a lineout on 50 minutes, at bay.

Oxford's backs were also causing problems, particularly the pace of Stileman who made a number of important carries to break the defensive line.

But it was the driving force of the pack which led to their second try as replacement flanker Goss burrowed over. Strang added the extras to reduce the deficit to seven points with 20 minutes to go.

Oxford continued to press and winger Ed David came inches away from touching down centre Alex Hogg's kick over the top on 70 minutes.

But moments later they did cross the tryline as replacement hooker Miller dived over.

Tom Dyer, who came on for Strang, could not convert from out wide.

Just two points separated the sides with eight minutes to go, but the Police hit back and two late penalties from Scott ensured victory for the visitors.

Oxford University: Geiger, Barley, Stileman, Hogg, David, Strang, McGagh, Lu, Thornton, Morris, Marsden, Grant, Beaufils, Blomfield, MacGilchrist.

Reps: N Miller, Childs, Goldsmith, McPherson, Henry, Goss, Haddock, Dyer, J Miller.