BASINGSTOKE Hockey Club Ladies got back to winning ways this weekend, as they beat visiting Brighton and Hove 2-0.

The visitors having strengthened their squad, the visitors started well with good possession.

However, Basingstoke seized upon attacking opportunities with lightning pace resulting in a goal through a cross field ball from Roxy O'Dea who found Fi Parker in the circle, who in turn found Claire Bowman free at the left post to volley home the 1’s first goal five minutes into the game.

Basingstoke capitalised on an excellent period of play scoring their second goal a few minutes later, through a superb penalty corner strike from Clare Griffiths.

It looked as if Basingstoke might run away with the game, however, a higher than usual level of errors meant that Basingstoke struggled to keep their attacking flow at times.

Brighton and Hove continued to strive for a goal looking threatening at set pieces.

In open play, player of the match Steph Hazell, expertly managed her defence and nullified any opportunities Brighton and Hove managed to forge.

Basingstoke were disappointed not to have provided their supporters with much to shout about in the second half, but were happy to get an important three points in what is proving to be an exciting league contest.

The thirds started the day on the same number of points as Alton so a close match was to be expected and so it proved, with both teams working hard to limit attacking opportunities.

It was in the middle of the second half, where the thirds took the lead through a fast break from Catherine McCormack through the middle, splitting Alton’s defence to enable her to find Nicola Burridge in the circle and her lay off made it easy for Tania Bridge to finish a lovely move, scoring her first goal for the thirds.

This goal sparked renewed vigour in Alton with the intensity of the game increasing and eventually a strong cross from the left was deflected in to level the scores with three minutes to go.

Both sides searched for the winner with player of the match Jasmine Payne coming the closest after determined play down the left.

In the end a draw was a fair result and Alton remain ahead of the ladies 3s on goal difference.

Emily Harris scored the seconds only goal in a 5-1 loss against Winchester, while the fourths won 4-3 against Winchester thirds.

In a hard fought game against a much improved City of Portsmouth, the fifths won 2-0.

The first half starting off evenly matched and both teams securing breaks to test the goalkeepers agility and skill.

However, with Basingstoke applying pressure, Ellie Rixon found the back of the net just before half time in a well-executed goal.

In the second half, Basingstoke’s defence held strong stopping the opposition from finding a way through, however the fifths did manage to get past the oppositions’ defence to secure their second goal through Beth Flintoff, with Basingstoke coming out the victors with a 2-0 win.

The sixth team were up against Fleet and Ewshot this week.

After absorbing a few early attacks, Basingstoke found their rhythm taking control of the game and leading 1-0, through Megan Payne who drove through the oppositions defence, into the D and calmly pushed the ball past the goalkeeper.

Basingstoke pressure and persistence was evident with Toyah Jefferies securing a second goal.

In the second half the sixths continued working the ball up the pitch with patience and determination which resulted in several near misses.

Their third goal came through a penalty corner, where Phillipa Spicer received the ball at the top of the D striking the ball beautifully to find the back of the net.

Fleet and Ewshot attempted to fight back, but to no avail, with the game concluding with a well deserved 3-0 win to Basingstoke.

In two evenly matched games, the ladies sevenths drew 4-4 against Alton, while, the under 14 girls won 2-1 against Camberley, with Basingstoke’s goals coming from Jemima Froom and Charlotte du Boulay.

In a valiant effort the men’s first team lost 4-3 against Croydon, with Basingstoke’s goals coming from Danny Bowden, Dean Record, and Grant Rouse.

The seconds drew 3-3 against Hamble and the thirds won 3-0 against Southampton, with the fourths lost 4-2 against Southampton University.