It was an emphatic and convincing 8-0 win for the Basingstoke Hockey Club ladies fifhs in their final match of the year against IBM Nomads.

Basingstoke were a dominant force from start to finish.

Player of the match, Nell Ruane opened the scoring following a one on one with the goalkeeper. Captain, Karen Binney then made it 2-0 after converting a penalty flick with a great strike at goal. Not to be out done, Jenny Rust got Basingstoke’s third goal through a flick over the goalkeeper, with Sue Pett finding a tight angle just before half-time for Basingstoke’s fourth.

In the second half the goals kept coming, with Basingstoke moving the ball well around the D creating multiple opportunities. Well executed interplay between Nell Ruane and Louisa Kenward allowed for two almost identical goals, 6-0 to Basingstoke.

Karen Binney received the ball at the top of the D from Louisa Kenward for Basingstoke’s seventh with Sue Pett rounding of the scoring with Basingstoke’s eight! A well-deserved and victorious win to conclude 2019 for the ladies 5s!

The Ladies fourths final match of the year welcomed newly merged fourth place Portsmouth and Southsea to Down Grange.

Basingstoke started the match at pace and almost immediately through Jo Gault and Izzy Hussey making some lovely and quick link-play through the middle, Basingstoke were in the Portsmouth ‘D’ , and Captain Ulrike Maier was able to tap in her first, for Basingstoke to take an early lead.

A few minutes later, Megan Payne almost single-handedly skipped through the Portsmouth midfield to pass across the face of the goal to a waiting Maier, who was again able to make good the cross to go 2-0 up. In awe of their early lead, Basingstoke lost their structure, dropping back and allowing Portsmouth back on the ball, with their centre forward making a mean strike to get them to 2-1.

They were then awarded a penalty corner which they dispatched swiftly to draw level at 2-2. Before the half time whistle, Portsmouth took advantage of Basingstoke’s weakened back-line through injury, taking one more for Basingstoke to go into the break hardly believing they were behind! The second half was evenly matched, but with two minutes to go, Basingstoke had a penalty corner and with a bit of scrappy play, yet again Maier was in the right place to pop it over the line to finish the game 3-3 and holding second place in the league for Christmas.

Basingstoke ladies sixths were up against Swanage in the last game before the Christmas break.

Basingstoke started the game positively with beautiful passing play, working the ball from side to side waiting for their chance to strike. Anything that Swanage tried was swiftly dealt with by a strong defensive line. After a few near misses it fell to Basingstoke’s Jenna Derry to put the 6s in the lead just before half time. Basingstoke continued to dominate the game into the second half with player of the match performance from Carrie Johnson who confidently controlled central midfield. Although coming close on several more occasions Basingstoke were unable to extend their lead but comfortably held on for a 1-0 win.

In other games this week, the men’s 2s beat Yateley 4-2, while the men's 3s won 3-0 against Haslemere. The men's 6s won 4-2 against Fleet & Ewshot. The ladies 2s won 2-1 against Trojans and the ladies 3s Lost 3-1 against Winchester 2s, with Basingstoke's goal coming from player of the match, Sarah Mainprise.

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.