BASINGSTOKE Hockey Club Ladies sponsored by KJ Smith solicitors celebrated their first ever home game in the National League, with a superb 6-1 victory over Bristol University.

From the onset Basingstoke had the upper hand. It wasn’t long before they were leading 1-0.

Player of the match Roxy O’Dea found the back of the net from a well weighted ball from the back line.

The second quarter reflected the first, with great attacking play from Basingstoke and Bristol University finally succumbing to a well worked team goal with Nic George deftly tapping the ball into the far post to make it 2-0.

The opposition came back fighting in the second half, however Basingstoke proceeded to score their third goal from Roxy O’Dea, following excellent inter-play between Catriona Bausor and Claire Bowman down the right side of the pitch. Bristol University responded quickly with a team goal from open play and the third quarter ending 3-1.

Everything fell into place for Basingstoke in the fourth quarter, with an onslaught of attacking play from Basingstoke. Bowman displayed her supreme stick skills in the D, scoring by calmly slotting the ball into the keeper’s open goal. Not long after, Fi Parker added her name to the score sheet, by chipping the ball over the keeper into the net. The final goal was a neatly deflected goal from Catriona Bausor following a well-executed penalty corner. Basingstoke look forward to a double header at home next weekend. Playing Cheltenham on Saturday and Exeter on Sunday.

Ladies 3s welcomed Wimborne Wayfarers for their first encounter with one of the three Dorset teams now incorporated into their league. Wimborne started out the stronger team with Basingstoke struggling to assert their style of play in the first half, by which time they were 3-0 down with some good finishing by the opposition. In the second half Basingstoke changed to a more defensive formation enabling them to align as a team and break with pace, causing problems for Wimborne. Tania Bridge and Sarah Mainprise both scored from penalty corners. However, despite sterling work in defence especially from Hannah Howe Wimborne ran out 5-2 winners.

Basingstoke Ladies 5’s faced Alton 2s in a hard-fought match in which Basingstoke came out the victors with a 1-0 win. This was a defensive game with the 5s holding strong and absorbing the pressure from the opposition. Basingstoke’s goal came from a long corner, with player the match, Karen Binney taking a quick ball which found Toyah Jefferies waiting at the far post to tap the ball in. Basingstoke remained solid in defence despite the pressure and held out 1-0 winners in this closely contested game.

The Ladies 6s travelled to Haslemere for their second league match, however with Haslemere fielding only ten players, due to not having a goalkeeper, Basingstoke won the game 10-0. Basingstoke took an early lead through Luci McCallum’s strike from the top of the D. Jane Bailey and Tamsin Williams held strong in defence with no way through for the opposition. Ellie Youngs, Phillipa Spicer and Emily Romain all contributed to the goal tally. In the second half, Haslemere, attempted to fight back, but to no avail. A goal from new-comer Andrea Tallett, as well as hat-tricks from both Luci McCallum and Ellie Youngs, allowed for a worthy win for the ladies 6s.

Basingstoke under 16 boys welcomed Andover to Down Grange in their first round Hampshire cup match. Great teamwork had the opposition on the back foot from the onset, with Basingstoke going into half-time with a 5-0 lead. With two goals from Tomas Bonser and a hat trick from Lucas Chambers. The second half saw outstanding saves from goalkeeper Stephen Daykin allowing for a clean score sheet. More goals were to come, with a reverse stick goal from Ben Cunningham, and additional goals from Adam Cramer, Lucas Chambers and player of the match, Tomas Bonser. A 10-0 victory and the first clean sheet of the season. That’s 20 goals in two games, great work from the under 16 boys.

In other games, the men's 1s in their home match against London wayfarers 2s won 4-3, with two goals from player of the match Andy Pett and a goal each from Will Jewkes and Mark Smith. The men’s won 3-1 against Salisbury, while the men's 3 drew 3-3 against Romsey. Men’s 5s lost 2-1 against Fleet & Ewshott and the men’s 4s drew 5-5 vs Salisbury 3s.

The Ladies 2s won 8-0 in their away game against Southampton while the Ladies 4 won 2-0 against Romsey. The ladies 7s won 4-0 in their away game against Romsey. The under 14 girls also won, with a 6-0 win against Aldershot and Farnham.

With presence on the National Hockey stage, Basingstoke Hockey Club continue to seek sponsors, with new and exciting options; if you are interested in becoming a supporter, please contact projectpitch@basingstoke-hockey.com.