Otter’s all-junior team led 5-1 at one stage but Cheltenham gradually fought back and the game reached 10-10 in the final quarter. More than four minutes remained when Sarah Ellis-Keeler scored what proved to be the decisive goal.
Penguin Emperors made it three wins from three games but were pushed all the way by Sheffield Stingrays before winning 7-5. A hat-trick from Rachel Bull took Penguin clear after the sides were locked at 4-4 after two periods.
Birmingham snatched a point against Southampton when Emma Marshall converted a penalty awarded just nine seconds from the end to make the score 9-9. Welsh Wanderers’ 11-8 defeat of Watford featured seven goals from Rose Griffiths.