WITH relegation rivals Otliensians (at Wakefield Wanderers) and Pudsey (home to second-placed Hull University) both losing 3-0, basement side Bingley Bees had a golden opportunity to cash in as they faced fourth-bottom Canalside Terriers in Yorkshire Women's Division Two at Bradford Grammar School.

The hosts fielded a strong team, against opponents they had drawn 2-2 against earlier in the season, but the visitors opened the scoring against the run of play.

However, the Bees quickly responded with a great goal in open play from captain Rachael Holdsworth and Mel Burgess edged them ahead from a penalty-corner strike.

But Canalside scored again just before half-time and despite chances for both sides in a passionate second half, due to some challenging umpiring decisions, that is how the score remained.

The point was still enough though to lift Bingley two places up the table to third from bottom, with only two points separating the bottom four.

A solid midfield performance by Gail Day brought her the Bees' player of the match award, narrowly beating new signing Amy DeSilva.

Bingley Bees men, who are bottom of Yorkshire Division Four North, also had a winnable game against third-bottom Scarborough at Bradford Grammar School.

With Dan Tilbrook deputising in goal, Bingley – whose spirit seems intact despite their struggles – needed to start well. But this did not happen as the visitors opened the scoring within five minutes.

The rest of the half was even though, with Bingley creating a number of chances and Scarborough looking dangerous on the break.

The home defence began to look more solid, with George Miller in particular marking and distributing well, and they coped with the loss of Luke Matthews due to a knee injury at the start of the second half as they chased an equaliser.

Jason Johnson twice went close but Bingley's inability to finish came back to haunt them again as Scarborough doubled their lead.

Lewis Miller showed some great touches up front and also came close to scoring but Bingley were hit by two more goals to leave the final score 4-0.