Oxford Harlequins 19, Clevedon 26: An air of despondency hung over Horspath Road on Saturday as Oxford Harlequins were relegated after one season in South West 1.

On a dramatic afternoon, Quins twice failed to hold on to leads given to them by super tries from Martin Nutt and succumbed to a score eight minutes from time.

With fellow strugglers Keynsham hanging on for an 11-7 victory over Chinnor, it was unlucky Quins who were left in the third relegation spot.

For much of the game, it looked as though Quins would prevail, but a failure to capitalise on a strong position early in the second half led to their demise.

Clevedon, too, had something to play for as they were chasing second place and a promotion play-off. But their afternoon also ended in disappointment as Cinderford pipped them for that honour.

So, the Horspath Road clubhouse was not the happiest place to be on Saturday evening.

Quins made a disastrous start, as a downwind clearance from Clevedon centre Tom Brooks exposed their lack of cover, and right wing Chris Bushell scored a simple unconverted try.

The home forwards raised their game to produce an immediate reply, as a magnificent 15-metre drive following a line-out led to a try for skipper Shaun Baxter.

Then, a mesmeric run from Nutt put Quins ahead. Receiving the ball inside his own half, the elusive centre used his sidestep and change of pace to race through the Clevedon defence and score under the posts. Chris Penney's conversion made it 12-5.

The visitors responded when left wing Tim Fox scored a try following turnover ball. Mike Lowis's conversion tied matters up at half-time.

Quins, with the wind behind them after the break, looked likely winners, especially when Nutt snapped up his second try after Clevedon had tried to run the ball from their own line.

Penney, playing his last game for the club, converted to make it 19-12.

Now well on top, Quins twice had chances to stretch their lead.

Given a penalty deep in Clevedon territory, they chose to kick for goal, but Penney missed.

Moments later, from a scrum on the Clevedon line, they conceded a heel against the head - and were never a force again.

Thus reprieved, Clevedon levelled matters with a try from influential No 8 Mike Panohoe, converted by Lowis.

A draw would have been enough for Quins to stay up, but in the 72nd minute, Clevedon fly half Tom O'Rourke sped through a gap in the defence to score the match-winning try, which Lowis again converted.

Quins never looked like scoring again, and when the result came through from Keynsham, their fate was sealed.

Oxford Harlequins: Boreham, Pooler, Nutt, Graham, Recchia, Penney, A Cope, Houston (Molyneux 57), Mitchell, DeLange, Pearce, Brusch, Stevenson, Baxter (capt), Nye.

Referee: A Bickle (Devon).