BASINGSTOKE hockey ladies fourth team travelled to Gosport to face their first team with an eye on the top spot.

It was textbook hockey from attacking to defending, with the fourths having the upper hand from start to finish.

A few minutes into the game, the ladies 4s were a dominant force, and were able to push the entire field into the opposition’s half.

Pressing hard, an initial shot was saved by the Gosport goalkeeper, but Ella Boyd popped up from centre back, to slot the ball past the keeper for Basingstoke’s first.

Shortly after, a wonderfully well worked drive up the left saw Jasmine Payne take Basingstoke’s second. Following on from her sister’s success, Megan Payne wasn’t to be beaten and with some great individual skill, took on the keeper and coolly placed her shot for 3-0 at half time.

The second half saw Basingstoke relax, goalkeeper, Katie Wade had a few jogs to the edge of her ‘D’ to parlay a back pass or two, but was otherwise untroubled throughout.

Gosport attempted a weak comeback by trying a more aggressive style of play.

However, they could not penetrate Basingstoke’s defensive shield.

With more time in the oppositions half than her own, player of the match Fortune Belcher at right back worked her way up to the edge of the D and made a lovely disguised pass to Ulrike Maier, who did a classic one-two with Lucy Kimber at top D to finish the move with a huge strike that allowed the game to conclude with a well-deserved 4-0 win to Basingstoke.

The fifths were on the hunt for a win following on from two back to back draws.

They started strong pressing Salisbury’s defence, with Toyah Jefferies opening the scoring by deflecting a high ball into the goal, with her second goal coming shortly after.

Captain, Karen Binney took advantage of a retreating defence to take a shot at goal from just inside the D to make it 3-0.

Not to be out done, Lyn Wood also managed get her name on the score sheet by scoring Basingstoke’s fourth goal, thanks to a great pass from Jenny Rust.

A half-time shuffle round saw Salisbury playing a more defensive game, holding Basingstoke to a 4-0 win.

The sixths side lost 2-1 in their first game this weekend against Gosport. Basingstoke took an early lead from Philippa Spicer. The momentum of the game began to swing towards Gosport who began to capitalise on Basingstoke’s mistakes and finding the equaliser.

Gosport were able to pin Basingstoke in their own half, and although there were outstanding saves from player of the match, goalkeeper Eleanor Roberts, the sixths were unable to prevent Gosport from taking the lead.

Basingstoke fought to the end but couldn’t equalise, and the game concluded with a 2-1 loss to Basingstoke.

For their second game on Sunday, they travelled to Winchester.

This was an evenly matched game, with both teams enjoying long spells of possession. Basingstoke made some great runs forward creating scoring opportunities, whilst the defence stayed tight to prevent Winchester from scoring.

In the second half, Winchester turned up the pressure and it was only thanks to goalkeeper Eleanor Roberts and defender Rosanna Goddard’s goal line clearances that kept Winchester at bay.

Winchester found a way through with a well worked short corner to take the lead. Basingstoke quickly responded with a great pass from Sophie Cook, allowing Luci McCallum to deflect the ball in for an equaliser.

In the remaining minutes of the game, Winchester were awarded several short corners, with one converting into a goal. The game finished with a 2-1 win to Winchester.

In other games this week, the men’s first team won 3-2 against Havant, with Andy Pett getting his name on the score sheet with two goals, and Grant Rouse scoring Basingstoke’s third goal to seal their victory.

The men’s thirds won 4-0 against Wimborne seconds.

It was a solid performance from the ladies thirds who drew 0-0 against the Isle of Wight.

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