BASINGSTOKE'S hockey community had an action-packed weekend as various teams battled it out on the field, showcasing their skills and determination.

Basingstoke Ladies 1s, sponsored by K J Smith Solicitors, travelled to face fellow Hampshire side and newly promoted Fareham Ladies 1s.

The away side put the pressure on Fareham early, forcing errors to turn over the ball from the off. Emily Shepard picked up the ball on the 23m line and drove into the D along the baseline to slip the ball to Fiona Parker to put in the goal to make it 1-0 after 10 minutes.

Basingstoke continued to put the pressure on in the second quarter, with goalkeeper Gemma Carswell making fantastic saves to keep the score at 1-0. Basingstoke earned a penalty corner, which Emily Shepard slapped across the D, which the Fareham defender could only stop going in the goal with her foot. A penalty flick was then awarded which Claire Bowman stepped up to convert to take it to 2-0 just before halftime.

Fareham stepped up the pressure on Basingstoke in the second half, testing the Basingstoke defence who stayed strong until a mis-timed passed fell to the Fareham centre forward to bring one back for Fareham, 2-1.

Basingstoke continued to absorb the Fareham pressure in the final quarter, with a break earning their second penalty corner of the game. Basingstoke converted through a well-worked deflection from Shephard to take the game away from Fareham at 3-1 with ten minutes to go. Fareham had a string of penalty corners in the closing minutes of the game but were unable to get past player of the match, goalkeeper Carswell, to seal the first win of the season for Basingstoke.

Basingstoke now sit ninth in the table, two points ahead of Fareham Ladies 1s after six games.  This week, Basingstoke Ladies 1s are at home against Witney Ladies 1s at 2pm.

Basingstoke Men’s 1s travelled to Eastcote for a late pushback of 3pm on Saturday. Basingstoke capitalised on a slow start from Eastcote when the ball landed to Andy Pett at the top of the circle to make it 1-0 within one minute. Basingstoke continued to put Eastcote under pressure. Dylan Brockbank drove the ball through a few tackles before being fouled to earn a penalty corner for Basingstoke, converted by Graham Garrett-Lang to make it 2-0.

The chances continued for Basingstoke, the goalkeeper and a save off the line keeper the score at 2-0. Eastcote started to respond before halftime, with a long ball into the D earning a penalty corner for Eastcote to convert to make it 2-1.

Eastcote continued to break behind the Basingstoke defence in the second half, scoring an equaliser through a reverse stick strike into the top corner, 2-2. Eastcote continued to press and earned a well worked goal, passing it around the Basingstoke defence for a simple tap-in, 2-3. An abundance of cards followed as Eastcote started to lose discipline and Basingstoke earned their share of cards as well.

A series of penalty corners followed for Basingstoke until Pett converted to bring it back to 3-3. With ten minutes left to play Basingstoke continued to press Eastcote, Pett slipped the ball past a string of defenders before passing the ball to Grant Rouse to slot into the right-hand corner in the last minute of the game. A 4-3 win in the dying second.

This week, Basingstoke take on second place Amersham & Chalfont at home at 11.45am, who currently sit five points behind Basingstoke.

Basingstoke Men’s 2s won their first game of the season with a 3-1 win over US Portsmouth Men’s 1s. Basingstoke Ladies 2s drew 1-1 with New Forest Ladies 1s.

Basingstoke Men’s 3s also had their first win of the season, with a 6-4 win over Chichester. Goals from six different scorers sealed the victory. Basingstoke Ladies 3s lost 1-4 against Trojans Ladies 3s.

Basingstoke Ladies 4s beat Havant Ladies 3s 4-2, with two goals from Ulrike Maier. Basingstoke Men’s 4s lost 405 against Gosport Men’s 1898, with two goals from Pete Wood. Basingstoke remain top of the league ahead of Gosport on goal difference.

Basingstoke Ladies 5s beat US Portsmouth Ladies 1s 4-0. Basingstoke Men’s 5s drew 1-1- with Chichester Chipmunks.

Basingstoke Ladies 6s drew 0-0 against Hamble Ladies 2s, with goalkeeper Isabel saving a penalty flick. Basingstoke Men’s 6s lost 1-2 against Petersfield.

Basingstoke Men’s 7s lost 1-4 against Portsmouth Pumas.

Next week, both first teams play at home for the first time this season, with the Men’s 1s against 2nd play Amersham & Chalfont at 11:45am and Basingstoke Ladies 1s against Witney at 2pm.