Rover Oxford Ladies notched three valuable Women’s Conference West points in the Slazenger England League with a 2-1 win at Aldridge, then lost 7-3 at home to second-placed Sutton Coldfield the next day.
Aldridge converted an easy goal in the opening few minutes.
However, Rover quickly fought back with waves of pressure from their forwards. Within the first 20 minutes a penalty corner was converted by a quick and confident strike from Lyn Cockshott.
Cockshott converted a second goal from the top of the D, by wrong-footing the Aldridge goalkeeper and hitting the back board.
Rover again conceded an early goal on the Sunday before settling.
Key defender Caro Brebner saved a goal by taking a ball in the face which meant an early end to her game.
Sutton Coldfield pounced on this opportunity and scored twice more before the break.
Rover conceded two more breakaway goals.
The fighting spirit did not leave Rover though and battling hard, Becky Hibbert and Hayley Sawyer found the oppositions' net.
Back from injury, Vicky Mankelow slotted away Rover's third goal but a final one from the visitors put the game out of reach.
In South Clubs’ League Division 1, Oxford Hawks’ match at Buckingham was postponed because of snow on the pitch.
Oxford University chalked up a 3-1 victory at Woking 1A in Division 2.
In Division 3A, City of Oxford won 1-0 at Staines to move two points clear at the top.
The visitors bossed the first half and the winner came when Vicky Quantrell crossed to leave Tam Curnow with a tap-in from only a yard out.
Lisa Scragg was outstanding in marking the Staines centre forward and keeper Julia Nicholls made several good saves when Staines threatened an equaliser.
Traffic issues meant Banbury started with seven players against Teddington and eventually lost 5-4.
Lara Wilkins, Tash Nunneley, Victoria Page and Rachel Craggs got the Banbury goals.
Bottom-of-the-table Oxford Hawks 2nd lost 2-0 at home to Southgate 2nd.
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