Southampton were 6-5 up in the third period but then fell apart as Manchester hit back to build a 12-7 advantage, including two goals each for Harriet Dickens (Photo: Trevor Hyde), Fran Collings and Victoria Hawkins. Rachael Mell scored three for Southampton.
It was easy for Cheltenham in their final match. Youngsters led the way as they hammered Liverpool Water Beatles 21-2, with 16-year-old Priya Kennedy scoring eight and Charlotte Martin, aged 15, five. Exeter finished top of the table but had to battle to resist a Rotherham Metro rally before winning 10-9. At one point, Exeter led 7-1.
In the final match of the Division 3 programme, Liverpool Water Beatles claimed their first win - 9-4 against Manchester Comets. Hannah Pyper, who has only just celebrated her 13th birthday, scored twice. Penguin Emperors finished in third place thanks to a 9-7 victory over Watford.