A slow start cost Oxford Hawks dear as they lost 2-1 to Wimbledon in Investec Ladies’ Conference East.

An early goal saw Hawks trail, and a penalty corner gave them an uphill task after the break.

Takara Haines gave them hope, firing home a fine strike from a penalty corner with ten minutes left, but they could not find an equaliser.

Oxford recorded their first win in South Clubs League Divsion 2 when they beat visiting Oxford University 2-1 , Oxford found themselves trailing as the Dark Blues took the lead from a disputed penalty flick and held that advantage until half-time.

The hosts stayed patient and equalised as Sophie Shilston deflected a penalty corner into the net. Oxford continued to push for the win and Bubble Baddeley lifted a strike past the University goalkeeper to make it 2-1. Some committed defending by Harriet Wilkinson, Clare Shaw and Vicky Quantrel enabled Oxford to hold on.

Another team to break their duck were Witney, who beat Wallingford 2-1 in Division 3A.

Charlotte Manning put Witney ahead in the first half after a deflection. Wallingford equalised through Tasmynn Motramm.

The winning goal came in the 66th minute thanks to a penalty corner conversion by Witney captain Katie Gatt.

Good defending kept Wallingford’a late challenge at bay.

OTHER LADIES RESULTS

Oxford Hawks 2nd 4 (C van Zijl 2, H Nich-olson, C Werlinger), South Bucks 0; Oxford Hawks 3rd 4 (K Harstone 2, M Davies, E Holloway),Reading 3A 0; Oxford Hhawks 4th 3 (S Dawes, L Powell, B Nagle), Maidenhead 3A 0; Oxford Hawks 5th 2 (B Wagerfield, S Slatterly), Wycombe 5th 2; Oxford Hawks Harriers 2, Oxford Girls Development 0; Oxford 3rd 3 (L McCann, L Eddowes, B Cousins), Windsor 0; Oxford 4th 1 (J Arthur), Wokingham 2nd 0; Oxford 5th 0, Thame 11; Oxford 6th 1 (H Bryant), Marlow 4th 1.