BASINGSTOKE Hockey Ladies played the first round of the Hampshire Cup last weekend.

With a slightly depleted squad Basingstoke were raring to go after losing a tough friendly match 5-2 against Teddington the day before.

The game started with Basingstoke showing high intensity play and good periods of possession to put Havant under pressure.

However, it was the opposing team who scored first, with a quick break down the left hand side and a deflection that lifted over Basingstoke’s goalkeeper, Gemma Carswell.

Within minutes, a great finish from captain Catriona Bausor following a well taken short corner levelled it.

The ladies continued to apply pressure, winning more short corners but no goals saw the game end 1-1.

On to penalty strikes with Basingstoke up 2-1 it was down to Havant to score their final stroke to take it to sudden death and they did. Carswell made some brilliant saves for Basingstoke, but it wasn’t meant to be, with Havant winning in sudden death.

The ladies fourths made their debut on the new pitch at Down Grange in what was a challenging match against Romsey, as they lost 4-1.

In the initial stages of the game, both teams were evenly matched with both teams attempting to exert their dominance. Romsey came out stronger with three goals in the first half.

In the second half, Basingstoke grew strong and defence and stopped an onslaught of attack from Romsey. In the latter stages of the game, the fourth consolation goal game from Joey Lockyer following a well taken penalty strike.

Basingstoke’s player of match going to Becky Donaldson who had an excellent game.

In other games this weekend, the ladies thirds lost 4-0 against top of table Wimborne and the seventh side drew 1-1 against Romsey.

In their away match against London Wayfarers, the men’s first team lost 2-1 with Basingstoke’s goal coming from Andy Pett. It was a disappointing 2-1 loss for the men’s thirds in their match against Romsey.