BASINGSTOKE Hockey Men’s second team remain top with five games to go after they left it late to beat Petersfield in a thriller 3-2.

The opposition scored first as Basingstoke struggled to break through their press.

Basingstoke found their feet in the second half with Phil Stewart, nailing it into the top left corner and Dan Holding scoring another to take a 2-1 lead.

Petersfield equalised with minutes to go, and as the game closed, Basingstoke had one last heroic attack with Robbie Edwards lobbing a great aerial over the top for Phil Stewart to smash home the winner into the bottom corner.

The first team welcomed Barnes, but depleted and weary from the previous week’s efforts, it was a muted performance from the men in red, as they lost 4-0.

The game started off slowly for the thirds and it took until just before half time for Fareham to put a goal away with a reverse strike.

Going into the second half Basingstoke pulled the score back to 1-1, with Harrison Spicer-Martinez deflecting a well struck ball in from Luke Warren.

The fourth team's game began at a leisurely pace with both teams struggling to get into the game. Simon Dann put the first goal on the sheet and Basingstoke continued the pressure but could not find the net.

Fareham nearly equalised in the second half, but Simon Dann defending, cleared the ball off the line.

Basingstoke buoyed by the last gasp save, responded with a well worked goal between Sam Payne and Kyle McFee, tucked away by McFee. Positivity spreading, Jacques Laurens then took two goals, and Johnny Lancellors one for a 5-1 win.

The Men’s Vikings took on top of the league, Alton, who scored a couple of goals before Karl Neighbour was able to create some chances and took a consolation goal in a 6-1 loss.

The Ladies seconds held leaders Winchester 0-0 until the final 10 minutes, when the opposition pounced on a defensive mistake to convert and then followed up with two well worked set piece short corners to take the win 3-0.

Portsmouth and Southsea made an assertive start to force the Ladies thirds to dig deep in defence and work hard to find attacking opportunities. Some excellent link play led to a goal from Sophia Gomez Quiroga on her debut performance. Feeling confident entering the second half, Basingstoke went ahead two goals via a clean ball through from Leanne Smith for Nicola Burridge to finish smartly.

A disgruntled opposition fought hard to claw back two goals to bring the final score to 2-2.

West Meon visited Down Grange to take on the Ladies fourth team and threatened early on, but could not convert the penalty corners. Basingstoke gained the upper hand with league top scorer Ulrike Maier taking her first on the rebound from a penalty corner.

West Meon somehow caught Basingstoke napping and grabbed two goals in five minutes to go ahead 3-1.

Taking her second from a chin to astro dive, Maier struck again, energising the team. Amy Elkington struck next with a reverse stick tomahawk strike, then finally, with a fantastic individual goal, forcing movement from the keeper, Maier was able to take her hat-trick. West Meon took one more, making the final minutes of the game painful, but Basingstoke hung on for the win.

The fifths were expecting a tough match against Trojans. Trisha Flynn took the first goal of the match for Basingstoke, followed soon after by Ellie Rixon to go ahead 2-0.

Trojans pulled one back just before the end of the first half and began the second with pressure, breaking through to equalise. The game was end to end, with a number penalty corners unconverted. In the dying moments, Basingstoke broke past Trojans defence for Ellie Rixon to take the final goal and a well-deserved 3-2 win.

Basingstoke Hockey Club are continuing to raise money for their second pitch, watch out for them cycling outside Tesco Metro at Festival Place this Sunday, or the green tokens in Waitrose.

If you are interested in discussing sponsorship options, please contact projectpitch@basingstoke-hockey.com.