Bathurst's Sarah Watterson and Parkes' India Draper each came away with a brace from a hard fought game, in which the visiting Souths managed to recover for a two goal deficit.

Starting at a 2-0 score at the main break it was going to take some strong hockey from Souths to find their way back into the match but they were up for the challenge.

The visitors hit back from a short corner before Watterson struck again from the field as she finished off a nice piece of Souths build up play.

Souths coach Chris Stafford said that his side did have their chance to take full points.

"It does feel a little bit like one that got away," he said.

"We had plenty of chances and more of the field position but Parkes had more short corners than us. It was a hot day over there and the girls did really well playing in that."

Defence was an area Stafford highlighted, saying that the work at the back helped pave the way for his team's comeback.

"I thought Haylea Rogers had a blinder for us in goals and Tahni Isedale at the back cut a heap down," he said.

"Emma White was our player's player. She made miles of metres with the ball."

Saturday's game was the first time this season Souths had gained genuine momentum in a match, once they levelled the scores.

But the coach believes the team need to keep a level head when the game situation turns in their favour.

"We can work on our decision making when we're on the front foot. For the first two games of the year we found ourselves on the back foot and a little under the pump," Stafford said.

"In this game we got on the front foot but then didn't make the decisions we needed to do at the right time."

Souths remain second last on the ladder but aren't far off the fight for the top four.

They can propel themselves up inside that area with a victory in the following round.