OXFORD Hawks’ superb second-half recovery fell just short as they lost 5-4 away to leaders Sutton Coldfield in an extraordinary Investec Conference West match on Saturday.

Hawks, beaten 7-0 by Sutton earlier in the season, seemed to be heading the same way when they they trailed 4-0 at half-time, one of the hosts’ goals coming from former Great Britain Olympic star Jane Sixsmith.

After some wise words from coach Andy Clark at half-time, Hawks came out a changed side.

They pulled one back from a corner, finished by Lucy Millington, and a minute later Katie Lowe skilfully turned and beat the keeper to make it 4-2.

After Hawks keeper Jess Hughes blocked some wellstruck efforts, the visitors scored again when Lowe was bundled over by the goalkeeper, and Becky Odlin converted the resulting penalty stroke.

The home crowd were stunned when Millington converted a carbon copy of her first goal and astonishingly Hawks were level at 4-4.

Sutton pressed hard, and their pressure paid off when they converted a corner to make it 5-4.

Oxford went down 1-0 at home to Epsom in South Clubs League Division 2.

Epsom scored the only goal in the second half, Oxford being unable to respond, despite forcing six penalty corners.

There was time for one last attack, but Kathryn Poulter was millimetres from getting to Lex Thomas’ cross.

Other ladies results: Oxford Hawks 2nd 0, London Wayfarers 0; Oxford Hawks 3rd 0, Oxford Univ 2nd 4; Oxford Hawks 4th 2 (R Black, E Milne), Oxford Univ 3rd 1; Oxford Hawks 5th 2 (K McLeod, L Hiner), Wokingham 2nd 2; Oxford Hawks 6th 1 (L Phillips), Wychwood 2nd 4; Oxford 2nd 4 (N Forecast, R Bedford, P Horlock, L Smyth), Aylesbury 1; Oxford 3rd 4 (H Sawyer 2, R Andrew, S Fenton), Thame 1; Oxford 4th 8 (A Roux 2, K Ormiston 2, M Banton 2, L Tremlett, E Gilroy ), Wycombe 3rd 0; Oxford 5th 0, Reading 3A 3; Oxford Fireflies 1 (A Charles), Reading Univ 4th 1; Oxford 6th 3 (E Jeffers 2, S Bennett), Bicester 4th 1.

MATT Wood and Jack Biggs hammered hat-tricks as Oxford Hawks came from behind to trounce visitors Banbury 6-2 in South League Premier Division 1 on Saturday.

Harry Loxton put Banbury ahead, while Wood equalised before half-time.

The second half belonged to dominant Hawks, with Wood completing his treble and Biggs following suit.

Banbury’s only response was another goal from Loxton.

Oxford triumphed 5-3 at home to Wallingford in Regional 1, thanks to goals from Dan Bleach, Tim Burns, Jonny Campbell, Daniel Pilbeam and Dan Smyth.

In a high-scoring game, Witney lost 9-5 at Ramgarhia in Middlesex Berks, Bucks & Oxon Division 1.

The visitors fought backfrom 5-2 down at half-time to level at 5-5, their goals coming from Scott Beach (2), Jacob Deacon (2) and skipper Andy Gosnell.

However, it started sleeting and Witney’s wheels came off as they conceded another four goals.

Other men’s scores: Oxford Hawks 2nd 1 (M James), West Hampstead 5; Oxford Hawks 3rd 6 (S Dawson 4, E Baldock, C Saint), West Hampstead 2nd 3; Oxford Hawks 4th 1 (N Conn), Wallingford 2nd 0; Oxford 2nd 1 (J Tasker), Eastcote 1; Oxford 3rd 1 (A Gray), Wycombe 2nd 2; Oxford Hawks 5th 1 (D Stone), Oxford 4th 0; Oxford Hawks 6th 4, South Bucks 2; Oxford Hawks 7th 5 (W Smith, J Black, A Byles, T Edmiston, J Edmiston), Thame 2nd 0; Oxford Hawks Falcons 3 (S Griffiths, P Dunnill, J Black); Windsor Vets 0; Oxford 5th 1, Windsor 3; Oxford 6th 2 (J Fisher, L Cadman), Wycombe 4th 1; Oxford 7th 4 (R Harding 2, G Curran, T Scrase), Phoenix & Ranelagh 3rd 2; Oxford 8th 2 (S Siriwardene, J Phillips), Reading Rascals 0; Witney 2nd 0, Amersham & C 2nd 4; Eastcote 6th 2, Witney 3rd 2 (J Clark, A Taylor).