BASINGSTOKE Hockey Ladies sponsored by KJS Solicitors enjoyed a 5-1 win over Bristol University, in their first match back from their long break over the Christmas period.

The match started at a blistering pace with fierce tackles being thrown in by both teams.

Basingstoke took an early lead from brilliantly worked attacking play, led by forwards Roxanne O’Dea who calmly rolled away from a defender and reverse hit the ball into the goal.

Contrary to the flow of the game, a mild lapse in concentration and breakdown in communication, led to Basingstoke conceding a goal.

With the score at 1-1, Basingstoke continued to press Bristol with well worked attacking play.

This resulted in Basingstoke winning several penalty corners which the Uni side eventually could no longer keep out, and Isabella Worthington capitalising on a defensive mishap from Bristol, jabbing the ball over the line to make the score 2-1.

This was followed shortly by another goal from a well worked penalty corner. Stephanie Hazell slapping the ball at pace towards the goal, which came off the goalkeeper’s pads and Kirsty Kent seizing the opportunity to smash the ball into the net.

In the second half. Bristol struggled to work the ball up the pitch as Basingstoke protected ‘the house’, by not allowing the ball to be played into the centre of the pitch.

It wasn’t long before another goal came beckoning, with Claire Bowman cleverly dinking the ball over a defender’s stick into the path of Clare Griffiths whose strike at goal bounced up off the goalkeepers pads, and Griffiths following this deflection with a reverse hit into the inside post.

With nothing to lose at 4-1 down, Bristol took their goalkeeper off, overloading Basingstoke’s defenders, in an attempt to score.

However, Basingstoke’s tight marking paid dividends, when a slip from the opposition allowed Melanie Trevaskis to run at speed up the left flank, cutting back in and passing the ball to captain, Catriona Bausor who took a shot at goal.

The ball was cleared on the line but fell neatly onto Claire Bowman’s stick who smashed the ball into the back of the net.

A convincing and well deserved 5-1 win for the ladies, who face Birmingham University IIs in their next match.

In other games this weekend, the men’s fourths lost 5-0 against Fleet and Ewshot, and the fifths drew 0-0 against Camberley.

The thirds drew 0-0 against Andover and the sixth team lost 9-0 against Fleet & Ewshot.

The seconds lost 1-0 against Gillingham, and the first team enjoyed a well-deserved 5-2 win against Sunbury and Walton Hawks.

The ladies seconds won 4-0 against Bournemouth, and the thirds drew 2-2 against Yateley.

It was a tough match for the fourths who conceded and an own goal to lose 1-0 against Southampton University.

In their match, the fifths drew 1-1 against Trojans, while the sixths lost 5-2 against Winchester, and it was a 1-0 loss as well for the seventh team in their match against Trojans.

With presence on the National Hockey stage, Basingstoke Hockey Club continue to seek sponsors, with new and exciting options; if you are interested in becoming a supporter, please contact projectpitch@Basingstoke-hockey.com.