Steve Hill admitted to having mixed emotions after watching his Oxford University side lose an exciting match to Saracens.

The Dark Blues led 21-8 at one point and were still 28-25 ahead with six minutes to go before going down 39-28 to a late blitz.

Director of rugby Hill said: “I’m sure when I watch the DVD I will be very pleased, but also angry at the end as we had a couple of chances to clear the ball.

“It’s a strange emotion – very happy, but quite annoyed.

“For 55 minutes, that was by far our best rugby of the season.

“I was disappointed that we weren’t able to hold on.

“However, you learn more from a loss than a win and I’m sure we’ll learn lessons.

“Considering that team only lost to Northampton by seven points and Northampton put 50 on us, hopefully that shows how we have moved on.

“We saw Tim Catling coming back to his best and I thought Ollie Tomaszczyk and Ian Kench were very powerful in the tight.”

Saracens brought on England Saxons players Alex Goode, at centre, and Tom Mercey, at prop, as they battled to reel in the students.

“Their bench strengthed their team,” said Hill.

“It shows how seriously they took the game.”

He added: “We are now getting closer to the team and the squad.

“Certainly it was a step up in terms of performance.”

Monday night’s game was also noteworthy for a superb 2,000-plus crowd, with many spectators having to queue to get in.

Hill said: “It was really pleasing to see such a big crowd.

“It looked to be bigger than last year’s Major Stanley’s match.”