OXFORD University overcame a stubborn Chinnor Falcons side to triumph 7-5 at Kingsey Road.

In their first warm-up game in Oxfordshire ahead of the Varsity Match on December 8, Noah Miller’s converted try proved enough for the Blues.

The visitors went down to 14 men early in the first half when flanker James Beaufils was sent to the sin-bin.

But they were first on the scoreboard on 34 minutes as a catch-and-drive led to hooker Miller going over.

Fly half Basil Strang added the extras.

There was only one further score, with Chinnor crossing for an unconverted try in the last minute.

The Dark Blues now turn their attention to their first fixture of the season at Iffley Road on Monday when they host Aviva Premiership side Bristol.

Fellow top-flight side Northampton Saints also visit on October 17, before Oxford head off to Zagreb for a second year in a row to take on Croatia on October 22.

Captain Fergus Taylor admitted in the lead-up to the Chinnor game that squad selection would be important with those fixtures in mind.

He added: “Bristol on Monday will be a really big test.”

Oxford University: Geiger, David, Fernquest, Kearns, Stileman, Strang, McGagh, Ball, Miller, Morris, Taylor, Marsden, Adams, Beaufils, MacGilchrist. Reps: Hart, Childs, Lu, McPherson, Henry, Haddock, Dyer, Hogg, Barley, Hammond, Livingstone.