Oxford Harlequins were left to ponder what might have been after a 35-19 defeat to new South West 1 leaders Bracknell.

Quins scored three classy tries, but handed Bracknell at least two with sloppy errors.

Although Bracknell were the better side and deserved the victory, they led just 18-12 with 20 minutes to go.

But just when Quins looked like mounting a real charge, full back Huw Jones handed visiting wing Nick Shears the simplest of interception tries.

Although sixth in the table, Quins are just three points off the drop zone after losing their last two matches.

Quins started brightly, with centre Tom Johnson, wing Andy Noyce and Huw Jones featuring prominently.

They took the lead on 11 minutes when supporting flanker Phil Rowe finished a move begun by No 8 Anthony Jackson and Huw Jones.

Bracknell increased their intensity and only a Noyce interception denied Shears a try on the left.

A minute later Quins scrum half Anthony Cope produced an excellent tackle to stop Bracknell No 8 Kai Blankley.

Bracknell's driving maul is a potent weapon, but Quins gained some success by standing off and rendering their opponents offside.

Rowe kept driving Quins forward, but Bracknell were gaining a foothold.

Fly half Frank Jones got away with his kick being charged down on 31 minutes.

But two more below-par clearance attempts helped Bracknell to their first try.

Centre Beau Wilson and Noyce both missed touch, with Bracknell scrum half Dan Ap-Dafydd ultimately taking advantage.

Bracknell took the lead their possession deserved when centre Ben Nowak slotted a stoppage-time penalty.

Quins suffered a major blow just after the break when Huw Jones's kick was charged down and Shears sped through to finish.

Bracknell's impressive fly half Jervis Manupenu was starting to dictate play and his penalty set up a catch-and-drive try for flanker Rudal Aiono.

Visiting player-coach Chris Sheasby brought himself on after 64 minutes, but his side soon conceded again.

Noyce applied the finish after Huw Jones's break and Frank Jones converted.

Shears's interception score, converted by Nowak, effectively ended the match as a contest.

Nowak added a penalty to make it 28-12 before both sides scored again in stoppage time.

Rowe came close to his second after a charge down, but Quins didn't have long to wait.

Noyce and the two Jones produced some dazzling back play to create a try for lock Dave Payne, which Frank Jones converted.

Then, two minutes later, wing Dave Budge powered his way through, with Nowak converting.

Oxford Harlequins: H Jones, Noyce, Wilson, Johnson, Spottiswoode, F Jones, A Cope (capt), Aldous, Chadbone, DeLange, Payne, Eckert, Rowe, Soper, Jackson. Reps not used: Gerber, Lynchsmith, Sewell.

Referee: D Stephens (S Yorks).

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