Oxford Hawks avoided any chance of relegation from Women’s Investec Conference West with a nail-biting 3-2 victory at home to bottom club Cheltenham on Saturday.

All seemed well for the hosts when they took a 2-0 lead, but the already-relegated visitors fought back to level before a goal from skipper Bexx Oakes ensured Hawks’ safety.

In front of a supportive home crowd, Hawks started well, with Takara Haines slotting home from an early penalty corner to banish early nerves.

They doubled their lead ten minutes later, when Oakes combined with fellow full back Caro Harris, who finished well.

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But their celebrations were short-lived as Cheltenham clawed one back from a penalty corner.

A minute after the break Cheltenham levelled, again from a penalty corner.

Hawks were not rattled, with Haines at the centre of many of the home attacks.

However they still needed to rely on the experienced Linda Billington in goal to pull out a couple of top class saves.

In the 51st minute Hawks won a penalty corner, which culminated in Oakes deflecting in on the post, prompting huge cheers from the home support.

Hawks then played out the rest of the game comfortably and celebrated at the final whistle.

Witney ended their season in style with a 3-0 win at home to Milton Keynes to finish runners-up to Banbury in Division 3A of the South Clubs League.

Despite some early pressure from the visitors Witney went ahead in the first half with a goal from Charlotte Manning, who bravely rode a forceful challenge from the keeper to score.

In the second half Witney continued to dominate the game with two further goals from Amy Williams and Lucy Reading late on sealing the win.

OTHER RESULTS

Ladies: Oxford Hawks 2nd 1, Brighton & Hove 9; Oxford Hawks 3rd 6 (P Malcolm 2, B Nagle, L Siese, G McErlain, E Black), Banbury 2nd 1; Oxford Hawks 4th 0, Witney 2nd 1; Oxford Hawks 5th 0, Buckingham 3rd 5; Oxford 6th 4 (S Mann, R Potter, T Scott, B Wagerfield), Bicester 3rd 1 (J Giles).

Girls: Oxford Hawks U14A 18, Banbury 0; Oxford Hawks U14 B 2, Bicester 5.

Men: Oxford Hawks 3rd 6 (J Clark 2, N Conn, T Dobson, H Gordon, T Turland), Ramgarhia 3; Oxford Hawks 4th 6 (S Dawson 3, R Scragg 2, T Forrester), Wycombe 3rd 1; Oxford Hawks 5th 1, Banbury 3rd 0; Oxford Hawks 6th 2 (S Elliott, M Shirley), Ramgarhia 2nd 4; Oxford Hawks 7th 0, Aylesbury 4th 2; Bicester 2nd 4 (J Howson 2, P Oram, B Kirk), Wallingford 3rd 0; Wallingford 4th 2, Bicester 3rd 1 (P Brees); Witney 3rd 1 (J Taylor), South Bucks 3.

Boys: Oxford Hawks U16 0, Wycombe 7; Oxford Hawks U14 0, Guildford 5.