BASINGSTOKE Hockey Ladies Three's have enjoyed an immensely successful season under the captaincy of Leanne Smith and superb coaching of Kerry Barker, winning promotion for the first time to Hampshire Division Two.

The team always held a comfortable position in Hampshire Division Three and following the Christmas break the team consistently delivered composed, consistent winning performances with a squad committed to seeing them promotion.

Throughout the season Basingstoke had chased league champions City of Portsmouth and wrapped their campaign with a 2-0 victory over the visiting leaders.

The top of the table clash saw the sides evenly matched and in an end-to-end game Jude Penrice and Tania Bridge had some great chances in the first half. but just failed to find the target not quite meeting meet target.

Kirsty Brown demonstrated the great pace and skill she has developed through this successful season.

Late in the first half, Smith injected a quality pass from a short corner, which was finished beautifully with a touch into the top right hand corner by Gill Rust.

Basingstoke were absolutely solid in defence with the Dowds combo, Hannah Watt and Helen Hornsby despite a second half push from Portsmouth.

A second goal game after a great run from Catherine Woodcliffe, which saw Basingstoke commanding the game for a great 2-0 win.

After the game, Captain Smith said: “It has been an honour this season to steer the Basingstoke Three's ship to promotion with Kerry Barker our amazing coach.”

“To win against top of the league today is just the icing on the cake and shows the strength of character of every single player in our team."

Basingstoke finished the season in second place only five points behind City of Portsmouth and 16 points ahead of Aldershot and Farnham who are third in the table.