Jacob Taylor’s first match as captain of Oxford University ended in a 15-7 defeat against the Army in torrid conditions at Iffley Road last night.

The students, with 11 Blues in the starting line-up, went ahead when Nick Gardner sent Zandy Macdonald diving in under the posts for Taylor to convert.

The Dark Blues continued to attack from all areas, but the Army hit back when their full back went over after a long kick and chase to make it 7-7 at the break.

The conditions brought plenty of unforced errors, but the Army went ahead with an unconverted try after some good handling.

Despite a brief respite from the rain, neither side could work their way into further try-scoring opportunities. A penalty in the 68th minute left the Dark Blues in need of two scores for victory, which couldn’t manage. Oxford Univ: Anderson (Irvine), Gardner (Koo), Hannah (Symington), MacGilchrist (Patch), Rowlands, Williams (Morlet), Macdonald, Heathcote, Shorthose (de Berker), Taylor, Dumigan, Janney, Hughes, Doe, Olivier.

* BANBURY’S Oxfordshire Cup quarter-final with Grove last night was postponed due to waterlogging at Bodicote Park and will now be rearranged.