BINGLEY Bees reaped the rewards for having a full squad of 16 players for their relegation clash against Halifax Thirds at Bradford Grammar School in Yorkshire Men's Division Four North.

With the hosts only being a point above their visitors in the bottom two slots, it was seen as a must-win fixture – and the Bees delivered in a 3-1 scoreline.

Despite a good deal of possession and a number of chances by the home side, it looked as if there would be no goals in the first half, until Bees skipper Ben Clough put away a short corner a minute before the interval.

Halifax came out for the second half in determined mood and levelled the scores eight minutes into the period.

But it was now that the fresh legs off the bench started to pay dividends for the home side, who again had dominant spells of possession against the by-now tiring visitors.

Matthew Clough added to the scoreline in the 20th minute but Bingley were not able to relax until James Pearson sealed the win in the 34th minute when his shot was deflected off a defender, the ball looping up over the keeper and finishing in the back of the net.

The Bees were well worth the victory but remain in the relegation places, albeit they have two games in hand and are only a point below third-bottom York University Thirds.

Bingley's women had an identical challenge to the men, the second-bottom facing the bottom club at Bradford Grammar School in an equally crucial contest – and again the Bees came through, this time beating Airedale 1-0 in the Yorkshire Premier Division.

Mel Burgess scored from a penalty flick but Kirsty Matthews had to make two awesome saves from short corners to keep the clean sheet.

Maisie Richardson was voted player of the match, while Sarah Kellett made a long-awaited return to complement the team.

Matthews was in form again the following day when Bingley Bees were at home to leaders Sheffield University Bankers, winning the player of the match award after showing great reactions in a 3-0 defeat.

All her team-mates also stood up to the plate, the defence of Jenny Bone, Steph Robertshaw, Burgess and Claire Staniland denying the visitors any goals from numerous short corners, while Rachel Belk, Jane Sharkey and Sarah Eaton also played out of their skin.

The women's second team notched only their second win of the season, defeating fourth-bottom Halifax Thirds 1-0 at Park Lane High School in Yorkshire Division Four.

The visitors, who showed grit and determination, bettered Halifax in terms of structure, skill and manners.

Youngster Maddie Silberberg was player of the match but the Bees' heroine was Bone as she scored from a short-corner routine.

As per the men, however, the Bees still remain in the bottom two but are now only a point behind Epworth and two adrift of Halifax Thirds.