ANDY Henley ran in a hat-trick of tries as Oxford Harlequins came from behind to secure an impressive 34-34 draw at Mounts Bay in South West 1.

An under-strength Quins side trailed 19-0 and 24-5, but showed tremendous character to come back against one of the title favourites and in front of 800 supporters.

They even saw Andy Noyce's conversion, which would have won the game, shave a post.

Quins were caught cold and Mounts Bay lock Ben Hilton scored a try after just four minutes, which fly half Lee Jarvis converted.

Four minutes later Jarvis went over for a try himself and converted a third score from centre Thomas Berry - after 12 minutes.

Centre Henley notched his first try with some opportunist play on 15 minutes, but Jarvis's second score made it 24-5.

Quins lost flanker Phil Vinter to a knee injury, winger Elio Recchia replacing him in an unfamiliar back row spot.

Fly half Owen Gustaffson crossed on 26 minutes after some excellent forward work and Recchia scored a third to make it 24-15.

Mounts winger Jamie Semmens kept up the frenetic pace with another score before the break.

Quins began the second half with a bang.

Henley finished off a sweeping move to score an excellent try after 41 minutes and full back Noyce converted.

Visiting half backs Anthony Cope and Gustaffson varied tactics cleverly before home prop Danny Clackworthy scored to make it 34-22.

But Quins were gaining ascendancy now. Forwards and backs combined to create an opening for Henley to slice through to score in the 68th minute and Noyce con- verted.

Replacement prop James Eckert came on for Simon Chadbone and immediately impressed the large crowd with his mobility.

Then, in the 70th minute, Quins drew level when Aussie centre Beau Wilson burst through the home defence to score a superb try.

The only black mark was a yellow card for stand-in lock Tim Knapp.