BASINGSTOKE Hockey Ladies over 35s side opened their England Hockey Cup campaign with a 4-2 on penalty strokes success over visiting Oxford Hawks, after the game ended 2-2, writes SARAH SHEARING.

Oxford scored first from a penalty stroke, before the home side equalised through Tania Bridge.

The visitors scored again before half time, prior to captain Cath McCormick equaliser with a full-stretch slap with a minute to go.

With no further scoring the game was decided by a penalty stroke competition.

Oxford chose to go first and scored their first two, with successful replies from Ffion Williams and Ruth Crawford.

Basingstoke goalkeeper Nicky Ball then saved Oxford’s third, and Tania Bridge put the home side ahead.

Ball produced an great save to deny Oxford's fourth shooter, and Gilly Dunning made no mistake with her penalty stroke to secure the win.

The Ladies reward is a trip to Taunton in round two on November 6.

Basingstoke’s men’s first team had a more straight forward England Hockey Cup win, with a 7-3 victory away at Staines.

In the league, both sections first teams won away from Down Grange.

The men won at Haslemere 5-3, after going 3-0 up as Grant Rouse, Paul Dowers and Will Jewkes all scored.

Haslemere drew level, before goals from Dean Record and Ben Jubin made sure of the win.

The ladies travelled to Oxford and went 1-0 up just before half time, with a neatly taken one-on-one by Annalise Whitehead.

Basingstoke came out stronger in the second half, and soon led 3-0.

This was thanks to Claire Bowman and a second for Whitehead.

Oxford then replied, before Fi Parker capitalised on a one-on-one before captain Catriona Bausor slotted home for a 5-1 win.

Elsewhere in the ladies section, the second team got back to winning ways with a 4-0 win away at Alton, with goals from Bev Mackay (2), Clare Keenan and Kirsty Brown.

The fourths continued their excellent form and increased their goal difference again with a 12-0 win at Southampton.

The goals came from Sophie Slemeck (3), Gemma Applegarth (2), Amy Elkington (2), Jessica Ochtman (2), Sharon Holden (2) and Hannah Wheeler.

The fifth won 2-1 against Alton with goals from Shelley Rounding and Tricia Flynn. The thirds lost 2-0 at home to Haslemere.

Across the men’s section, the second team drew 2-2 against Aldershot and Farnham with goals from Josh Weir and Jez Smith.

The fourth team won 3-1 against Hamble with goals from goals from Kyle McFee, Sam Budd and Harry Caves.

The Vikings beat Romsey 3-2. The thirds lost 3-2 away at Blandford Forum and the fifths lost narrowly to Haslemere 1-0.