BASINGSTOKE Hockey Club Ladies second team continued their strong form with a 3-1 win away at Andover to move them up to fourth in Hampshire Division One.
Basingstoke went 1-0 up mid way through the half with a beautifully worked team goal, starting from the back and being worked up the pitch.
Rachel Bomphrey drew her defender and slipped the ball to Gilly Dunning in the circle, who rounded the last defender and slotted home.
In the second half, Basingstoke started the stronger team and were soon awarded a penalty stroke when an Andover defender fouled and denied Dunning a clear goal scoring opportunity.
Sarah Mainprise-Tait calmly flicked into the bottom left corner and game was put to bed as with 10 minutes to go.
Sarah Shearing took a quick ball wide on the right, driving towards the baseline and put a hard cross in to Kirsty Brown who deflected it past the Andover goalkeeper.
The home side scored a consolation goal.
Elsewhere in the ladies’ section, the thirds faced visiting City of Portsmouth in a joint league and cup game.
Basingstoke started well and nearly went 1-0 up after five minutes from a deflection by Tania Bridge, but the COP goalkeeper made a fine save.
A short corner to Basingstoke, saw Jude Bird struck clinically to the left post for Esther McElvenny to convert and put Basingstoke 1-0 up.
Shortly after the restart Portsmouth levelled things and the home side had a shot cleared of the line as the game ended 1-1.
As it was also a cup tie penalty strokes were needed to determine the winners.
Bridge, McElvenny, Bird, Frankie Tierney and Rae Thompson put themselves forward to take the strokes, and Basingstoke came out 3-1 winners with Basingstoke goalkeeper Gemma Allen making three saves.
The fourths also played the City of Portsmouth winning 5-0 to stay top of Hampshire Division Five, thanks to Helen Hornsby, Sophie Slemeck, Ella Lewis and a brace from Sue Pett.
In the men’s section, the firsts lost 4-1 at home to Wimborne Wayfarers. Basingstoke had lots of possession in Wimborne’s half but couldn’t apply the finishing touch, and also had a penalty stroke saved as the first half ended 0-0.
Early in the second half, Basingstoke won several short corners but were unable to convert, and Wimborne went 1-0 up.
The home side equalised, Mark Smith pushing forward and striking clinically from the top of the circle.
However, Wimborne hit back with three more goals to win 4-1.
Elsewhere in the men’s section, the seconds lost 3-2 at Chichester, despite goals from Jacques Lourens and Liam Harrison.
The thirds beat Weymouth 4-3 to remain top of Hampshire Division Five, thanks to goals from Dan Holding, Sam Payne and a Harry Cave brace.
The men’s fourth won 2-0 at home to City of Portsmouth with a brace from Euan Rixson.
The fifths moved up to third in the table with a 2-0 home win against second placed Bournemouth, the goals coming from Nick Horsey and Ryan Casson.
Lastly, the Vikings got back to winning ways with a 3-2 win at Camberley.