BASINGSTOKE Hockey Ladies enjoyed a 3-2 victory over Oxford University to keep them in the hunt for South Division promotion.

Basingstoke started positively in an exciting game stretching the play and Oxford made a number of quick break attacks, before Roxy O’Dea deflected home a great backhand shot from Clare Griffiths.

They extended their lead with Catriona Bausor lifting the ball over the opposition goalkeeper.

Oxford struck back with a terrific penalty corner goal, and piled on the pressure which goalkeeper Gemma Carswell soaked up impressively, but a pass squeezed through a crowded D gave Oxford an equaliser.

Basingstoke dug deep and were rewarded with a penalty corner which Rachel Roberts converted to win the game 3-2.

The seconds had a challenging first half against Eastleigh and could not convert the penalty corners they earned and went into the break 0-0.

They came out fighting in the second half and man of the match Claire Bowman broke the deadlock with a sublime reverse stick strike.

They then added a second as captain Leah Redding lifted the ball past the Eastleigh defence from the rebound after Bowman’s shot was saved to complete a 2-0.

Fleet and Ewshot hosted the third team and in a frantic first half, Tania Bridge was able to deflect in two penalty corners for Basingstoke to go ahead 2-0.

The opposition went on the attack in the second half, but visitor's best player Nicky Ball made some outstanding saves to frustrate their efforts.

With two minutes to play, Fleet managed to grab a goal back, but Basingstoke held onto the ball from the restart to win 2-1.

The Ladies four team were ready for a tough game against Aldershot and Farnham and begun with pressure from the opposition as Basingstoke worked hard to push the ball up the pitch.

Strong passes through the field gave Basingstoke penalty corners in the first half with no score, however the opposition took a rebound goal from a penalty corner off the goalkeeper's pads.

The opposition converted another penalty corner in the first few minutes but with plenty time to play Basingstoke continued to work hard, and with a great passing move up the right from Helen Garrett-Lang, Saf Whitwham’s precise pass found Sue Pett waiting at the right post to convert.

Basingstoke continued to press and went close, but lost 2-1.

The fifth team had an end-to-end first half against Southampton.

Basingstoke struck first with a great and well-placed goal from Karen Binney.

Southampton fought back and got an equaliser.

In the second half, Basingstoke played some great hockey and defended hard to take a point with the scoreline at 1-1.

The sixths defended for the first half of their game against Southampton University, but the University took the first with a quick run up the wing for a tap in.

The second half saw Jasmine Payne make some great individual runs at the goal, to no avail, and with some great saves from Katie Wade, they kept the score to a 1-0 loss.

The Girls under-12s lost 6-1 to Alton, with Katerina Pole scoring their only goal.

BASINGSTOKE Hockey Men travelled to Wimborne and early exchanges saw the home side go close which was an early warning.

Stung in to life Basingstoke countered more effectively but could not convert.

Wimborne scored on a counter but the lead was short lived, as Dean Record cutting into the D and some slick skills saw a deft finish bring Basingstoke level.

Tireless running in the second half saw Will Jewkes rewarded when the ball was sent out to him on the right of the D to rocket the ball into the bottom corner to go ahead.

Basingstoke absorbed pressure but with three minutes to go Wimborne scrambled home an untidy equaliser.

With under a minute left, Mark Smith powered into the D to be denied a goal by the Wimborne captain sliding in from behind. However, a penalty stroke awarded, and Graham Garrett-Lang was decisive in securing the well earned three points and a 3-2 win.

Poole visited Basingstoke seconds, and despite starting strong and pressing hard, Basingstoke were kept at bay by the Poole defence, with an exciting end-to-end first half. Dave Stones went closest for Basingstoke but his shot was deflected over the crossbar as it ended 0-0.

Camberley and Farnham proved the stronger team against the Men’s Vikings, winning 4-2. The Vikings had many chances in the first half, but went 4-0 as Camberley dominated, but in the second half Adam Neighbour threw a pin pointed aerial gave an easy finish for Luke Warren with Karl Neighbour taking a reverse stick effort to claw back two.

The thirds lost a closely fought game 2-1, visiting Fleet and Ewshot, with Luke Warren taking their only goal.

Local rivals Winchester beat Basingstoke fourths 6-2 whilst the fifths beat Yateley 2-0 as Tommy Reading and Dave Cramer both scored.