Oxford Harlequins pushed South West 1 leaders Clifton all the way before going down to a 20-17 defeat.

Quins led 17-15 with ten minutes left and had plenty of chances throughout to add to the two tries scored by full back Huw Jones.

Centre Shann Lombard and wing Neil Spottiswoode combined to set up Jones after five minutes.

Jones sprinted in from 40 metres with fly half Mark Forth converting.

Hooker Dave Needham and lock Cameron Gray were impressing in the loose, but Clifton hit back with a penalty from fly half John Barnes.

On 29 minutes, Clifton No 8 John Levis plunged over, with Barnes converting.

Five minutes later, Quins regained the lead in spectacular style.

Scrum half Kenny Sewell took a quick penalty and fed Jones on the ten-metre line.

Jones ran half the length of the field for the try of the game and Forth converted for a 14-12 half-time lead.

Quins now had the wind behind them, but they were caught on the break when Clifton tight-head prop Chris Rowland drove over.

Forth kicked a 57th-minute penalty, while Gray twice went close and Jones was recalled for a forward pass.

In the 70th minute, Clifton lock Darren Barry scored in the corner.

Centres Anthony Cope and Lombard, plus flanker Matt Young, led Quins’ attacking, but they could not battle back.