THE Basingstoke Hockey Club Ladies go into the Christmas break at the top of South Division Two, despite a 2-1 loss at home to Spencer.

Spencer went ahead early but Basingstoke equalised through Claire Bowman to go in 1-1 at half time.

Spencer then went 2-1 up and Basingstoke piled on the pressure, having the majority of possession and three attempts getting past the Spencer goalkeeper, but hit the posts.

The seconds went down 2-1 away at Romsey. The visitors were the stronger team and quickly adjusted to Romsey’s half-court press from the start, however Romsey scored early in the first half and added a second after the break.

Basingstoke pulled a goal back from a short corner as before a short corner from Gilly Dunning found Sarah Shearing on the post to score, but it was too little too late.

The fourths beat Romsey 3-0 to guarantee top spot in Hampshire Division 5 over the Christmas period.

Basingstoke scored early through Sharon Holden, before Joanne Gault scored a splendid strike for a 2-0 lead at half-time.

A strong Basingstoke defence kept Romsey out and they added a short corner, converted clinically by Amy Sambell.

The fifths lost 2-0 to New Forest, and the Ladies Development team went down 5-1 to Fleet and Ewshot.

The men’s first team went down 4-2 to visiting league leaders London Academicals.

Basingstoke led 1-0 after a short corner from Graham Garrett-Lang. Academicals equalised, before the home side scored a second through Todd Hutcheson to lead 2-1 at half-time. After the break, Academicals scored three times to win the game.

The seconds game was called off after six minutes due to an injury to a Petersfield player and at the time Basingstoke led 1-0.

The thirds had an eventful trip away at Gillingham, coming away 5-4 winners.

Basingstoke trailed 3-1 at the break with Dan Holding scoring their goal.

In the second half, goals from Andy Footman, Adam Neighbour and Holding gave them the lead.

Gillingham equalised, but Basingstoke scored the winner two minutes from time through a short corner from Mark Easto. The result leaves Basingstoke top of Hampshire Division Five.

The fourths lost 2-1 to Fleet and Ewshot as Pete Wood deflected in a short corner. The Vikings lost 7-0 away at Aldershot and Farnham. The fifths put in a very strong performance to beat Salisbury 4-0, pushing them up to fifth in the table.

Last Sunday, the mixed team lost their England Hockey Cup Game 10-5 away at National League club Teddington.

Basingstoke were 5-0 down at half time but came back strongly, getting five goals back in the second half through Mark Smith, Ross Cavalier and a hat-trick from Liam Harrison, playing up front rather than in his usual position of defence. The mixed team now drop down to the EH Plate to continue their cup run.