BOTH of Ben Rhydding’s first teams bounced back in style to claim three points at the weekend, this coming after disappointment in their previous respective matches.

First up the women’s side, who hosted Swansea and eventually came out 3-1 winners.

The home side settled into the game early and at the end of the first quarter, Ben Rhydding found the lead from a short corner situation. After a shot from Rebecca O'Toole rebounded off a stick, Natasha Pell was able to flick the ball across the goal for Sophie Davies to hit in.

Ben Rhydding continued to dominate and multiple runs from Kirsty Goodall down the right caused Swansea a lot of trouble and led to two green cards for the visitors. Rhydding doubled their advantage from another short corner, as Amy Booth's low drilled effort was cleverly deflected into the net by Rachel Doherty.

The game continued and Swansea adapted, finding some pockets of space to work up the pitch. Then a bit of individual 3D skill from a Swansea forward created some space at the top of the D for a reverse hit, which found its way into the back of the goal making it 2-1 at half time.

In the third quarter it was Ben Rhydding's turn to gather two green cards and in goal Charlotte Smith was called on to make some great saves. The final quarter required composure as the emotions and intensity began to heighten. Swansea's attack were kept at bay, as the Ben Rhydding defence were able to anticipate, making some great interceptions and low tackles.

Rhydding sealed the game when Lizzie Gibbins used her pace and strength to keep the ball and drive into the D, placing the ball on a Swansea foot. This time at the resulting short corner Rachelle le Bourdon placed the ball straight into the left corner hitting the backboard beautifully. The last seven minutes seemed to drag on but finally, the whistle blew, another home win secured for women's 1s putting them in 5th place.

This week the women play Leicester City - which will be a tougher challenge as both teams sit on ten points in the table.

Ben Rhydding Men 4 - Oxton 3

As for the men’s side, they welcomed strugglers Oxton, which they knew would be a gritty game despite their position in the table and it was just that. Rhydding dominated possession for majority of the game and through their controlled possession they found an early lead through a trademark Will Musgrave drag flick at a short corner.

The game progressed and a couple of defensive errors let Oxton back into the game. Rhydding made a couple of adjustments at half-time and found their flow with goals coming from Callum Franks, Jes Notay and Ross McMillan, which was heavily supported by some excellent defensive short corner work led by Ed Snelling. It was a job done in a must win game to get back on track in competing at the top end of this league.

Looking ahead the men welcome Doncaster on Sunday - a team who have been in good form recently.

Coach David Birch commented: “The boys have worked extremely hard over the last couple of weeks to stay at peak fitness, despite the weather getting worse, so we feel we are in a good place and ready for an intense battle with Doncaster.”