BASINGSTOKE Hockey Club Ladies produced a superb send half display as they continued their promotion push with a 5-2 win at Horsham, writes KIRSTY NOVIS.

The first-half saw the home side side score twice as they led 2-0 at the break In the second half, Cath McCormick played a hit from the back which left Fi Parker one-on-one with the last defender. She beat her with ease before working the ball around the goalkeeper to score.

A minute later, Annalise Whitehead equalised by sweeping the ball past the Horsham goalkeeper after her first shot had been saved.

Basingstoke took the lead as Whitehead picked up the ball at the halfway line and dribbled towards the D, where she slotted it home.

Soon after, a Horsham attack was stopped by McCormick’s diving interception.

The visitors responded by winning a short corner. After Ruth Crawford deceptively took the speed off the injection to confuse the Horsham defence, the ball was played to Jo Bowden, who scored to make it 4-2.

A Fi Parker drive won another short corner shortly after, which allowed Claire Bowman to round off the game with a final goal.

The victory leaves the ladies level on points with East Grinstead at the top of the league and they face Andover at home next as they continue their quest for the title.

The fourths drew 1-1 at home against Romsey. Basingstoke dominated possession in the first half with Romsey only managing to make a few trips into Basingstoke’s D.

Several short corners were off the mark and the ball failed to find the net. Gemma Applegarth came closest to scoring with the ball going wide of the post.

In the second half, the home side’s perseverance paid off as Hannah Wheeler slotted home a rebound, but Romsey replied with an equaliser.

The ladies seconds lost 3-1 to Haslemere, but the thirds won 2-0 against United Services Portsmouth.

In the men’s section, the first team lost 2-1 at home to Havant.

The visitors led 1-0 at the break, but the home side equalised as Andy Preston and Ben Jubin combined for Mark Smith to score.

After this Grant Rouse fired wide from a short corner and a strike by Mark Smith hit the post. Havant won the game from a short corner.

The men’s second won 2-1 away against Swanage and Wareham.

Basingstoke scored through a combination of short sharp passes that ended with Ben Shaughnessy tapping in from a yard.

In the second half, Swanage upped their game. The defensive unit of Ben Cowdrey, Colin Wearn, Jeremy Smith and Will Malone were doing well to keep the sheet clean.

Basingstoke scored again from a penalty stroke which Greg Smith dispatched into the roof of the net.

Swanage replied with minutes to go, but it all was too late.