BASINGSTOKE Hockey club men were unable to cause an upset in the quarter-finals of the Hampshire Cup as they lost to National League side Fareham 7-1 in Southampton last Saturday.

Fareham, from three leagues above Basingstoke, were two up inside five minutes, but Ben Shaughnessy pulled a goal back from a penalty flick to make it 2-1 at half-time.

Fareham added a third goal soon after the restart and after Basingstoke missed a few chances, Fareham scored four goals in the last 10 minutes as Basingstoke’s small squad tired.

It was a disappointing end to an excellent first season in Hants/Surrey Division One for the men, who finished fourth.

The club hosted the South Masters Ladies Trials at Down Grange last Sunday, and Basingstoke had five players selected across the age categories.

Sue Pett and club chairman Miranda Smith were both selected in the new over-60s category, while Cath McCormick and Ruth Crawford made the youngest age-group squad, the over-40s.

Sarah Mainprise recently made the final cut for the England over-55 team for the forthcoming Home Nations and European Champion-ships later this summer and will be a part of the South squad in the same age-group.

Well over 100 ladies attended throughout the day and enjoyed the club’s hospitality.

Club chairman Smith said: “It's great to be holding events like this at Down Grange and we’re really building up our reputation as good hosts.

“More than that, though, by having ladies from our own club selected, we’re continuing to put Basingstoke on the map on the pitch as well.”

All will line up to face their counterparts from other parts of the country at the England Hockey Masters Regional Tournaments in May and June.

Mainprise, in particular, will be eyeing up a place in the England age-group side for the Masters World Cup in Canberra in 2016.

The only competitive action left for the club will see the ladies’ second team face Haslemere in the final of the Hampshire Trophy on Monday, May 4.