The game was effectively settled in the third period when goals by Fliss Leighton (2), Amber Linney, Lucy Hobman and Emily Crossley took Metro from 3-3 to lead 8-4. But Cheltenham never gave up, surprising their opponents by reducing a 10-7 deficient to 10-9 as Charlotte Martin scored with more than a minutes still to play.
Charlotte Hopwood was again in goal-scoring form for Liverpool Liver Birds, claiming five in a 9-4 defeat of Penguin Emperors. Exeter trailed early on against Southampton but recovered to win 12-6, including five goals from Ella-Louise Jones, plus a Jai Powell hat-trick.
Fourteen-year-old Pippa Danielson scored the winner for Otter Lutra, who edged out English Roses 8-7.