CLEVE'S classy back three proved too hot for Oxford Harlequins to handle in a hugely entertaining South West 1 clash.

Full back Richard Catt, brother of England centre Mike, and wings Dan Ajuwa and Ollie Pritchard were a constant threat against a battling Quins side.

Two superb finishes from centre Andy Henley twice put the hosts ahead in the first half, but once Cleve sneaked ahead in the second, they cut loose.

Quins managed four tries in all and squandered other opportunities, but Cleve clocked up six, including a brace for Catt.

The visitors look a good bet for promotion, although they were far from solid in the opening exchanges.

In the second minute, Quins lock Dave Payne found himself in acres of space and once his pass found Henley, there was no stopping the Kiwi flyer.

Full back Pete Davis slotted the conversion and it could have been worse for Cleve, had Quins centre Beau Wilson held onto an interception three minutes later.

Quins' Achilles heel in the first half proved to be conceding penalties, the first of which was converted by Cleve fly half Luke Cozens on seven minutes.

Cleve took the lead after 15 minutes when Catt beat Henley to force his way over on the left wing. Ajuwa was soon threatening to do the same on the right.

With both sides looking to play expansive rugby, openings continued to come.

Henley struck again on 27 minutes after an excellent break from Davis, who also converted.

Quins could never really pull clear and two more Cozens penalties meant it was 14-14 at the break despite Cleve seeing prop Ed Wilson sin-binned.

The visitors stunned Quins from the restart when lock Stuart Gaston powered over.

Davis ensured Quins hit back on 46 minutes when he created room for debutant winger Duncan Lynch-Smith to score in the corner.

Quins needed to consolidate, but were punished by two fine tries in three minutes.

Firstly Pritchard burst up the left wing to feed centre Greg Setherton to canter in.

Next, it was Ajuwa's turn to break two tackles and slip the ball inside for Catt's second score.

To their credit, Quins continued to play with ambition, but too many moves were breaking down.

It was all over on 69 minutes when Cleve hooker forced his way over next to the posts and Cozens converted.

Wilson created a deserved try for the excellent Davis on 72 minutes, which the full back converted.

Cleve, however, were not finished and ran in a sixth try through replacement Stephen Depledge late on.

Oxford Harlequins: Davis, Ashton (Halsall 70), A Henley, Wilson, Lynch-Smith, Gustafson (capt), A Cope, Eckert (Chadbone 70), Needham, Chapman (DeLange 70), Payne, Vinter, Young, Knapp, Soper.

Quins' man-of-the-match: Davis.