Oxford University's unbeaten run may be over, but there were more positives than negatives from their first defeat.

That is the view of director of rugby Steve Hill as he looks to lift his players after Northampton's 50-19 victory at Iffley Road.

The Dark Blues appeared over-run at times during Saints' eight-try salvo, which came after Oxford won their first six games of the season.

But Hill said: "We showed a lot of character, especially at the end of the first half.

"I think there were more positives than negatives.

"The good thing is that you learn more from a loss than a win.

"We knew it was going to be a tough test.

"That was the best team Northampton they have sent here in five or six years.

"I thought our scrum held up really well."

Aside from London Irish, the Northampton clash was arguably Oxford biggest test before the Varsity Match on December 6.

And while too many tackles were missed, Hill felt they were unlucky to concede 50 points.

"The scoreline didn't really reflect the match," said Hill. "It should maybe have been 38 not 50 points.

"But we have gained a lot of experience from this.

"There are definitely areas to improve, but we'll take it from there. It was the sort of test we needed."

Hill added: "We had three of our most experienced forwards missing in John Chance, Dylan Alexander and Tony Jackson.

"But Chris Davies and Bert Payne showed a lot of courage in the second row.

"For most of the match we had five undergraduates in our back five forwards.

"In the backs, Jonan Boto showed a real physicality to his game, which was pleasing and Roffy worked really hard for the whole game."