BINGLEY Bees men are off the bottom of the Yorkshire Division Four North table after recording their first win of the season.

They overtook Wakefield Thirds after a 6-3 victory over Bradford Thirds at Bradford Grammar School.

On a pitch that was littered with leaves and with a distinctly autumnal chill in the air, the Bees moved the ball quickly but marked tightly and pressed hard when they weren't in possession.

A strong performance in defensive midfield from Tom Grant allowed James Pearson and David Booth to

attack more, and Bingley were rewarded for their dominance with a well-taken goal from Booth.

And that advantage was doubled when they were awarded a penalty flick after a goal-bound shot was blocked by

a defender's body, Booth nervelessly converting the opportunity.

However, slack marking and better quality from Bradford led to their derby rivals levelling with two quick goals, but Bingley regained their focus to score a third with the last play of a feisty first half via a penalty corner that was converted by Pearson.

A rousing half-time team talk from captain Tony Hart gave the Bees a lift for the start of the second half but they had to survive a couple of nervy moments before Booth completed his hat-trick.

Although Bradford pulled one back, Bingley were not going to let this lead slip, and Booth bagged a fourth before Dan Tilbrook scored a sixth from all of 18 inches.

A good weekend was completed when Bingley Bees also triumphed at BGS, defeating Otliensians 2-1 in Yorkshire Women's Division Two to move out of a relegation berth.

Regulars returned for the Bees, giving them the luxury of a strong starting line-up and substitutes who could come on and make a real difference.

After dominating the play, Bees midfielder Rachael Holdsworth made a solo run from halfway and chipped the ball neatly home when one-on-one with the keeper.

Anna Bowker and Jane Sharkey were thwarted as they tried to make it 2-0, while, although a well-taken short corner resulted in Emma Cawley having her shot saved, Lillian Allen netted the rebound.

The visitors started the second half strongly and halved the deficit with a well-worked goal.

Both sides had opportunities thereafter, with Claire Staniland and Jenny Bone working hard to hold the Bees' defensive line, which held out.

Player of the match for the Bees, who have another derby this weekend at Pudsey, was Steph Robertshaw, who made some fantastic saves.