Despite the cold weather and snow, most hockey matches went ahead as additional helpers who cleared the snow off the pitch to ensure four out of the five games at Down Grange could go ahead.

First up at home were the ladies thirds hosting Hamble, looking to get themselves off the bottom of the table.

Despite some great build up play, they could not convert and conceded a penalty corner strike to lose the game 1-0.

Next were the men’s first team against Havant, looking to put right the draw from the away fixture.

Basingstoke started the stronger team and despite Havant employing a half court press.

The home side kept their composure and broke the deadlock when captain Andy Preston pushed up from the back and played the ball to the back post for Grant Rouse to convert.

Havant got back into the game with a couple of penalty corners and a breakaway, but Basingstoke kept them out thanks to fine saves from Adam Smith.

The home side then won a penalty corner of their own, which was mis-trapped but kept alive by Josh Weir, who played to Dean Record who finished clinically on his reverse.

In the second half, Havant pushed up on their right which left and led to a great team goal, the conversion provided by Ben Jubin on the back post. Basingstoke quickly got another when Record turned provider, rounding the Havant goalkeeper and playing in Todd Hutcheson to slot home.

That was not it though, Will Malone pushed up and delivered a precise cross for Record to deflect in.

Record then turned provider again for Rouse to also get his second of the game for a 6-0 final score.

The penultimate game saw the men’s third team take on Eastleigh, with Basingstoke looking to extend their lead at the top of the table. Goals from Clinton Douglass (2) and Adam Neighbour secured a 3-0 win.

The final game of the day was for the ladies development team, who unfortunately lost 5-1 to Aldershot and Farnham.

The ladies first team remain top of South Division Two by a point thanks to a 2-1 win away at London Wayfarers.

The first half was an even affair with both teams coming close, but it was Basingstoke who scored just before half time when captain Catriona Bausor pounced upon a poor clearance, drove through the defence and fed Fi Parker, who got a quick shot off against the Wayferers goalkeeper which found Annalise Whitehead to ensure it crossed the line.

In the second half, Wayferers pulled a goal back early on with a defence splitting ball, but this spurred Basingstoke on who were hungrier for the points.

An array of penalty corners for the ladies came and went, but Basingstoke finally converted one just before full time, the ball being played back to injector Kirsty Kent who slotted home on the second attempt.

The ladies fourth team kept their place at the top of Hampshire Division Five with a 5-2 win away at Havant.

The ladies started very strongly, soon going 1-0 up thanks to great individual skill from Saf Whitwham. Jessica Ochtman then scored with a precise strike, before further goals from Heidi Barker and Amy Sambell put the ladies 4-0 up at half time.

Basingstoke scored another through Katie Hussick before a couple of injuries led to Basingstoke having to play the remainder of the game with only 10 players.

Havant took advantage of this and scored twice.

The men’s seconds lost 4-2 away at Southampton University.

The ladies fifths home game and ladies seconds away game were cancelled due to snow on the pitch.

Last Sunday, the men’s third played a rearranged league game against Southampton University, winning 5-0.

Southampton started strong but Basingstoke soon found their passing game and a precise ball was played to Rob Lloyd to sweep home.

Phil Stewart then had a one-on-one with the Southampton goalkeeper and went round him to score.

Basingstoke then had two off the post and another missing by inches but went into half-time 2-0 up.

In the second half, Basingstoke scored a great team goal, passing the ball out of defence, around the midfield on to Dan Holding to strike from the top of the circle.

Basingstoke quickly scored again, Lloyd driving into the circle for Simon Dann to bury the ball into the side netting, before Holding got his second of the game thanks to a defensive error.

The win leaves Basingstoke clear at the top of Hampshire Division Five by seven points with six games to play.