Oxford Cavaliers came up short as they went down 38-28 at Bristol Sonics in the West of England League.

Mario De Silva scored out wide to give them a great start, but Cavaliers spent most of the next 20 minutes on the defensive, gifting Bristol possession with numerous penalties.

The pressure eventually told as Bristol notched a converted try.

The visitors hit back, and good work from Fotu Tupou, Stewart Hannah and Wes Newton set up a try for centre Connor McKaffrey, only for Bristol to reply with two more tries, giving them the advantage at half-time. Cavaliers lost captain Matt Beckley with a shoulder injury early on in the second half, and Hannah, Will Downey and McKaffrey also required treatment.

Despite stout defensive work from Hannah, Tupou and Ruairi Lynch, the well-drilled Bristol side soon added a further try, before a brace from Cavaliers’ Newton reduced the deficit to six points with 23 minutes left.

Sonics edged further ahead, and although Cavaliers replied with an unconverted try from Adam White, the home side wrapped up victory with a breakaway try.

Cavaliers will be out to make amends next week against bottom-of-the-table Swindon St George.