Oxford Hawks women made an excellent start to their South Clubs' League Division 1 campaign by opening with a 6-0 win away to Harrow.
Hawks got off the mark after intense pressure on the Harrow D with a well-finished flick from captain Ali Omell.
Throughout the first half Harrow applied pressure, re-quiring swift intervention by Hawks’ two full backs, Takara Haines and Felicity Hughes.
Two short corners resulted in two further goals as Takara Haines exchanged well to fire the ball against the backboard.
A glut of goals came near the end with Kathryn Poulter scoring, and Sandra Frankland expertly finishing off a decisive team attack.
The final score came from Tacita Haines to complete a compreshensive victory.
Rover Oxford’s local derby against Oxford University in Division 2 was put back until October 30.
Witney were another Oxon side to get off to a flier by hitting plenty of goals on their travels, as they won 4-1 at Eastcote in Division 3A.
Witney went three up with goals from short corners in the first half, two from Katie Gatt and the third from Joy Mangazi.
Eastcote then pulled one back before half-time, but it was Witney who came out strong in the second half, with Sadie Lapper completing the scoring.
Banbury mauled Eastcote 2nd – who were promoted to Division 3A this season – 9-0.
Despite being without captain Lara Wilkinson, Banbury dominated the game to such an extent that goalkeeper Shelley Irvine touched the ball once in 70 minutes.
England Under 16 international Mel Wilkinson scored from close range to get the ball rolling.
Natasha Nunneley then went on a scoring spree, hitting five goals.
Her first came just before half-time and she grabbed two penalty flicks and two late reverse stick goals to cap a fine performance from the stand-in captain.
Vicky Page, Alison Sturla and Charlie Moran also got onto the scoresheet.
City of Oxford started badly, going down to a disappointing 3-0 defeat at West Hampstead in Division 3A.
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