IT WAS a great weekend for Basingstoke Hockey Club's men's first team as they moved nine points clear at the top of Hampshire/Surrey Regional Two and booked a place in the quarter-finals of the England Hockey Vase, writes Ian Watson.

Basingstoke’s latest league victory was a 3-2 success at Salisbury last Saturday.

Dean Record opened the scoring early on, as he converted Greg Smith’s cross after good work by Alex Miller and David Stones.

The home side levelled, but the visitors were soon in front again thanks to Graham Lang’s trademark drag-flick finish.

Salisbury equalised again after half-time, but Stones got the winner as he flicked home at the back post.

The following day, Basingstoke stormed out of the blocks at Southend and led 5-0 by half-time.

The visitors’ goals came from Ben Jubin (2), Mark Smith, Ben Shaughnessy and Record.

After the break, Danny Bowden and Stones added two more goals before a late consolation completed a 7-1 win.

Basingstoke will now face Solihull Blossomfield in the quarter-finals.

The men’s second team lost 3-1 at home to Portsmouth University, while the thirds continued their impressive march up the table in Hampshire Division Five with a 3-2 win over Salisbury.

The fourth team lost 3-1 at home to Southampton Otters, while the fifths were beaten 8-0 by Fareham.

The Vikings won 2-1 over Fleet and Ewshot.

In the ladies’ section, the first team claimed three more points with a 2-0 home win over Horsham.

Jo Pett opened the scoring with her second league goal of the season, as she batted home Clare Keenan’s cross.

A sterling display from the visitors’ goalkeeper kept the home side at bay until Catriona Bausor deflected home a second from a short corner.

The seconds lost to visiting Havant 2-1. The home side’s strike came from Sarah Traynor after a good move between Gilly Dunning and Amy Bennett.

The thirds made it two wins on the trot with a 2-0 away win at Aldershot and Farnham.

The visitors took an early lead thanks to an expert flick from Helen Smith.

The advantage was doubled after the break, when Jane Tuffnell fed Ellie Pearson to slam the ball home.

There was success for the ladies’ fourth and fifth teams.

The fourths beat visiting Hamble 3-2 as Tricia Flynn netted a brace and Katie Smith a single.

The fifths travelled to Southampton University and, thanks to goals from Claire Keeley and Kerry Barker, took home a well-earned 2-1 win.