A LATE try denied hosts Oxford University third place in the inaugural World University Rugby Cup yesterday.
The Dark Blues were beaten 18-14 by University of British Columbia at Iffley Road.
Leading 14-11 with seven minutes to go, the Dark Blues conceded a penalty on their five-metre line and UBC forced their way over for a converted try.
Oxford had earlier recovered from 11-0 down to take the lead, thanks to Henry Lamont’s score and a penalty try.
Both were converted by George Cullen.
However, after conceding late on, they were unable to find the crucial match-winning score.
The University of Cape Town were crowned champions after beating Trinity College Dublin 17-0.
Second row James Kilroe went over, while Cape Town were also awarded a penalty try.
Full back Paul Cohen kicked two conversions and a penalty.
The Dark Blues came second in Pool 1 after victories over Japan's Waseda University and their second string the Greyhounds.
However, they missed out on topping the group after suffering a 28-3 defeat to Cape Town.
In Pool 2, Trinity College Dublin and UBC advanced to the semi-finals.
The Dark Blues took on Trinity College in the last four on Friday, but proved no match as they lost 21-0.
Cape Town beat UBC 24-12 in the other semi-final.
In Sunday’s seventh-place final, Siberian Federal University beat the Greyhounds 10-7.
Meanwhile, Waseda won a penalty shoot-out 7-6 against NZ Universities after their fifth-place play-off was tied 19-19.
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