BASINGSTOKE Hockey Men turned in a five star performance as they beat visiting Chichester 5-0, despite the visitors starting brightly with pace.

Basingstoke absorbed the pressure and began to impose their game as Will Jewkes drove the baseline to get a untidy shot away at close range with Todd Hutchison pouncing on the rebound to finish neatly with a half volley.

Basingstoke controlled possession and the half closed with the home side up by one.

The Men in red restarted with intensity and with a textbook move, Hutchinson received the ball to break at pace to the right and with a great finish he rippled the far post inside netting for 2-0. More confident play found David Stones on the far left whose sublime reverse stick strike was that was worthy of a replay. Ben Jubin followed suit, cutting inside his man and a well struck ball rocketed in to the bottom right corner, Basingstoke four to the good.

In complete control and with Adam Smith not willing to relinquish his clean sheet, Basingstoke pressed forward and won a short corner. Graham Garrett-Lang stepped forward and slotted the ball home with a strong flick to cap a good performance and 5-0. Basingstoke continue to chase league leaders Woking with two points between them and still to play the return fixture. The game started slowly for the seconds against Southampton Uni as both teams grew into the game, before Liam Harrison broke the deadlock for Basingstoke to go ahead.

Southampton Uni came back and equalised just before half-time from a penalty corner.

The game was poised at 1-1 for the majority of the second half with both teams having chances, but late on Dan Holding slotted it home to give Basingstoke the lead and a well-deserved 2-1 win.

The men’s fourths took on Alton, and from the off both sides traded attacks but Basingstoke kept their shape and piled on the pressure, with goals coming quickly from Kyle McFee, Pete Wood and Jacques Lourens and only conceding one before the whistle.

The second half saw Alton step up the pressure however Basingstoke responded with solid play and maintained their discipline to break down Alton's shape with three goals from open play from John Vout and Jacques Laurens and Ryan Casson converting a penalty flick. The win sees them safely in second spot in the league.

The under-14 boys hosted a strong Aldershot and Farnham who attacked in waves in the first period but Stephen Daykin in goal saved everything hit at him with the back line performing admirably in front of him and Roo Davis making several strong runs from the back to not only clear the ball but also set up attacks.

Aldershot and Farnham were able to convert pressure to goals in the second period to go 3-0. Basingstoke attacked in numbers in the final period which eventually saw Gus Bridge score with a reverse stick shot from the back of the circle. The final score was a hard fought 3-1 loss.

In other results, the Mens thirds came close, but were unfortunate to lose 1-0 at Southampton University and fifths beat Fleet and Ewshot 4-2.

Basingstoke Ladies first team struggled to find a way round Tulse Hill and Dulwich’s excellent press throughout their game this weekend and were unable to find their flow and their game lacked their normal intensity.

The opposition opened the scoring with a well-executed penalty corner and whilst Basingstoke were able to strike back with Catriona Bausor dispatching a penalty corner of their own.

Tulse Hill and Dulwich kept the pressure up and scored a second which was almost a carbon copy of their first goal. Basingstoke kept attacking till the end, but could not get the equaliser.

Haslemere were first to strike in a second against third placed match after 10 minutes when defence quickly turned to attack and they accelerated in numbers and converted. Basingstoke replied to go into half time at 1-1 through a short corner, Claire Bowman slipping to Sarah Shearing to convert. Unfortunately Haslemere upped their play in the second half to score two brilliant goals early on, then another just before the final whistle to win 4-1.

Basingstoke thirds produced another strong team performance against a competitive Haslemere and with good hassling, Basingstoke took control of the middle of the park, moving the ball round at pace however chances were hard to come by with both goalkeepers making crucial saves. Basingstoke’s Nicola Burridge broke the deadlock from a penalty corner. Shortly after she came close, but was thwarted by the Haslemere keeper. Both Frankie Tierney and Jo Armson cleared off the line in the second half however Haslemere kept the pressure on to equalise by a touch in at the far post to make the final score and even 1-1.

The Ladies fourth side took on a strong Fareham and held possession, giving themselves plenty of chances to score and after two short corners with no result.

Sharon Holden picked up the rebound from the oppositions keeper and hit it into the goal. As the first half came to a close, Fareham scored an equaliser from a penalty corner set piece. In the second half, the game was end to end but neither team could find the net. As the game came to an end, the opposition were awarded a penalty corner, and despite Basingstoke defence’s best efforts they took the game with another set piece 2-1.

Portsmouth and Southsea visited Basingstoke sixths and from the off the home side showed determination as Jasmine Payne pushed forward to score in the opening minutes.

The away side had some good midfield play, but couldn’t break through as Claire Keeley’s shot saw the second goal for the home side. With one more each for Keeley and Payne, Basingstoke were already up 4-0 at half time.

Janice Spalding drove up the wing in the second half, to score a fantastic rebound to take Basingstoke’s to a 5-0 win.

In other results, the fifths beat Gosport 5-0.

Basingstoke Hockey Club are seeking sponsors and if you are interested in discussing options, please contact projectpitch@basingstoke-hockey.com.