BASINGSTOKE Hockey Ladies began a successful weekend with a tough battle against Staines.

With much of the possession, it took Basingstoke a while to break the deadlock Rachel Roberts opening the scoring from close range. Sharon Stones took a second goal to go into the break 2-0 up.

Staines came back strong after half time and kept the Basingstoke defence on their toes but they held fast. Clare Preston took a third from a back-hand shot with Jo Bowden slotting in Basingstoke’s final to take the game 4-0.

Their second game of the weekend was against Wimbledon who proved impenetrable on the previous meeting.

It was an exciting end to end affair, with Basingstoke making numerous attacks, thwarted by an acrobatic Wimbledon goalkeeper in a goalless first half.

Basingstoke went into overdrive in the second half, dominating for long periods, and finally were able to take the three points with Kirsty Kent sneaking a close-range goal to win 1-0.

The seconds hosted Havant 2’s and took a 6-0 win. Starting the game with great intensity Cath McCormick scored on their first attempt on goal. Amy Shore followed swiftly, deflecting a Fi Parker drive onto the back post.

Sarah Shearing then slotted the ball through to Claire Bowman, who drew the defender then passed to Shore to convert for her second.

Basingstoke scored another two before half time, a reverse strike from Bowman, then a good one-two between Bowman and Shearing, who drove the baseline and pulled back for Parker to score to go into the break 5-0 up.

Havant came out much stronger in the second half, but Basingstoke kept possession took one more with Clare Bowman used her skill to draw the Havant defence and convert.

The Ladies are now third in Hants Division One.

The third team took on a well-drilled top of the league Fareham, and following a few controversial decisions Basingstoke were 4-0 down at the break.

Basingstoke’s in-form Tania Bridge had two goals disallowed and whilst Basingstoke won some penalty corners, they couldn’t convert and Fareham were able to take one more to win 5-0.

The fifths visited Alton with both teams on level pegging until just before half time when Alton pushed past Basingstoke's defence to strike first. Basingstoke regrouped with several breaks which amounted to nothing.

Basingstoke worked hard defensively to protect their goal and continued to press, gaining a penalty corner just before the final whistle, but it was not to be, final score 0-1.

The game concluded with a 1-0 win to Alton ladies.

Fleet and Ewshot hosted the ladies sixth team, and whilst Basingstoke dominated the opening phases, testing the opposition goalkeeper, they were unable to score.

Fleet attacked with strength and managed to break down the Basingstoke defence to take the first goal of the game. Basingstoke restarted brightly and never gave up, however Fleet worked hard with goals coming fast and furious, eventually winning 4-0.

The under-12 girls lost to Camberley and Farnborough 1-0.

Basingstoke Men’s first team travelled to Haslemere and started firmly on the front foot, oodles of space down the wings and in the middle. They won a short corner and Graham Garrett Lang dispatched it neatly into the side netting to take the lead.

Basingstoke pushed forward, finding lots of gaps and had a goal disallowed from Josh Weir. Basingstoke dropped the tempo and Haslemere took the advantage, drawing level from a short corner, with post-man Dan Bowden deciding that the ball was going low when it went high.

Basingstoke struck again after half time, with 10 men on the pitch incoming deflector Grant Rouse rolled a neat ball in at a penalty corner.

The visitors then squandered a penalty flick which proved decisive as Haslemere won a penalty corner, and converted to draw level again.

Basingstoke dominated possession for the remainder of the game, but could not make it count to finish the game a rather disappointing 2-2.

The seconds welcomed Alton however the visitors started strong putting three goals past Basingstoke within the first 15 minutes.

Basingstoke managed to stem the flow of goals in the first half and won a Penalty flick however it wasn’t to be their day as the flick was well saved by the goalkeeper.

Alton struck again after the break with a well worked baseline run and then converted a penalty corner to go 5-0 up.

Not satisfied with taking nothing away, Basingstoke took a full team goal that started with a defensive transfer.

Unfortunately time ran out for Basingstoke despite several more chances the final score was 1-5 to Alton.

Other scores from the weekend saw the thirds lose 2-0 to Havant, the fourths drew with Southampton, the fifths lost 2-0 and the Vikings lost 4-1.

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