OXFORD Hawks Ladies came away from Gloucester City empty-handed after losing 2-1 in a tight Investec Conference West contest.

In the first half, Hawks struggled to get out of first gear, going behind after five minutes.

Hawks’ keeper Jess Hughes made a number of critical saves, but could not prevent the home side doubling their lead from a penalty corner.

After some firm words from coach Andy Clark at half time, Hawks came out a changed side, with Abi Flory and Becky Odlin causing problems.

Hawks pulled a goal back after Flory’s cross found Claire Werlinger, who slotted home.

They pushed hard, but the Gloucester defence held out to take all the three points.

Despite taking an early lead, Oxford went down 2-1 away to Havant in South Clubs League Division 2.

A driving run from Beth Williamson created a chance that Christy Barnard pounced on to put Oxford ahead.

Charley Ebbutt and Emily Malden came close to adding a second, before Havant intercepted a loose ball to equalise.

After Williamson was denied by the home keeper, Havant scored the winning goal from a penalty corner in the second half.

Sunny Ricketts hit a hat-trick as Witney hit visiting Milton Keynes for six without reply to maintain their commanding form at the top of South Clubs League Division 3A.

Two goals from Ricketts and a cheeky score from Ellie Kearney put Witney 3-0 ahead at the break.

Ricketts completed her treble, while Hayley Dobson netted from a short corner and Helen Backhouse completed the scoring with a superb deflected goal.

Sheryl Philpott scored one goal and made another as Bicester won 3-0 away to South Berks 2nd in Premier Division 2 of the Trysports Three Counties League.

Philpott set up Bicester’s first goal for Alison Haik and netted the second after a great one-two with Lorraine Bricknell.

In the second half, South Berks fought back, forcing Bicester keeper Hollie Williams into a fine save.

Bicester sealed the result when a rebound shot from a short corner was leaped on by Amy Olah who slotted in.

Other ladies’ scores: Oxford Hawks 2nd 3, PHC Chiswick 4; Oxford Hawks 3rd 3 (G Laird, E Dawes, L Siese), Oxford Univ 2nd 0; Oxford Hawks 4th 4 (R Black 2, J Wells, R Potter), Reading 3rd 2; Oxford Hawks 5th 3 (L Phillips 2, S Butler), Wychwood 3; Oxford Hawks 6th 4 (B Wagerfield 2, G Flynn, B Rabbits), Wallingford 4th 0; Oxford Hawks 7th 1 (O Stacey), Bicester 4th 0; Wallingford 4,Oxford 2nd 1 (L Smith); Oxford 3rd 1 (M Brownill), Wycombe 2nd 1; Oxford 4th 4 (J Marshall, Z Driscoll, F Chichester, M Banton), Oxford Univ 3rd 4; Oxford 5th 3 (F de Haan 2, A Smith), Kidlington 0; Slough 2nd 3, Witney 2nd 0; Witney 3rd 5 (G Norton 2, L Ashcroft, I Squires, A Coe), Sonning Veterans 0; Bicester 2nd 0, Reading 3A 5; Bicester 3rd 6 (J Giles 2, E Winks, L Walker, A Vizard, S Scott), Wycombe 4th 0; Oxford Fireflies 1 (E Ho), Wychwood Badgers 3, Oxford 6th 2 (K Smith), Newbury & Thatcham 4th 2.