Bingley Bees men made a cracking start to their home derby against Airedale-2 in Yorkshire Division Six North at Bradford Grammar School.

The hosts took the lead after just three minutes with a fine penalty-corner finish from skipper Ben Clough, which was put to the keeper's right, giving the defence no hope of a goal-line stop.

Then a well-struck cross from James Pearson was deflected into the net by Dennis Valentiner-Branth in the fifth minute, although the Bees relaxed and allowed Airedale into the game, and conceding an easy goal.

The contest was then fought out in midfield before Clough got his second, again from a penalty corner, but a half-time advantage of 3-1 was no more than the Bees deserved.

The second half was again a midfield battle, Clough getting his third, again from a penalty corner, in the 21st minute.

 The visitors responded swiftly and pulled a goal back two minutes later and got a third two minutes before time but they couldn't prevent a third straight Bingley victory.

Valentiner-Branth was Bingley's man of the match but special mention goes to Chris Silberberg, who stood in as goalkeeper at short notice and turned in a fine performance.

Bingley Bees women began their Premier Division match at home to Sheffield Hallam-2, again at Bradford Grammar School, without captain Jo Geldard, Mel Burgess standing in.

A well-drilled Sheffield team began very strongly, showing composure, skill and accurate passing, greatly assisted by their coach's substitutions and game-plan.

Bingley lost much of their usual pattern, and mistakes were easily made due to pressure from the visitors.

Sheffield scored twice in the first half, despite the Bingley defence working tirelessly and keeper Kirsty Matthews making several stunning saves.

Bingley were given an encouraging team talk at half-time and went out motivated with their heads up. They managed to keep possession and show form but shots from Mel Burgess and Emily Lawrence were matched by the Sheffield keeper.

The home side's midfield and defence were instrumental in Sheffield only being able to score one goal in the second half, and Cath Burgess was Bingley's player of the match.

Bingley Bees-2 were at newly-promoted Pocklington in Division Four, and the agrressive home side campede in the visitors' half, raining in shots.

However, Bingley were strong and determined in defence and raised their game thanks to the  excellent vocal command of the goalmouth by regular keeper Rachel Fuller.

Shots came in abundance from Pocklington but none passed Fuller until the 25th minute when  Pocklington took a deserved lead.

Not long after the first goal, the home side fumbled in defence, allowing Jenny Bone to strike at goal from short range and put the teams back on an even keel at half-time.

Pocklington continued to be the stronger side in the second half, using quick passes to avoid challenges from Bees defence, but the contest was not as one sided as they liked, thanks to hard work and dogged defence from the Bees.

The visitors had plenty of breaks on the right wing, with excellent work between Lucy Walsh and Sarah Eaton but the game turned against them when Jo Gray had to go to hospital after intercepting a ball which hit her hand, causing a fracture.

Pocklington went onto score a further two goals. Bingley's player of the match was midfielder Eaton.