Oxford Cheetahs strengthened their bid for a top-two finish in the Conference League by coming from behind to beat Cleveland Bays 49-43 last night.

Second-placed Cheetahs, already assured of contesting the play-offs, moved four points clear of chasing Plymouth and Boston with a hard-fought success.

TEAMS Cleveland Bays: M Burrows 18, S Jones 8, G Beaton 7+1, M Emerson 6+1, M Pickering 2+2, R Hodgson 2+1. 43.

Oxford Cheetahs: L Smethills 12+2, J Frampton 11, D Betson 9, S Martin 8, A Bargh 6, B Johnson 3, K Norton 0. 49.