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.