Basingstoke Hockey Club Ladies first were up against Birmingham University 2s in their away match this weekend.

It was touch and go on whether the match would go ahead due to storm Dennis.

Playing conditions were not great, with Basingstoke, being taken aback by the university side who started the match with ferociousness and intensity of pace.

This intensity was coupled with impressive dynamic movement on and off the ball, making it difficult for Basingstoke to mark their players. Basingstoke were consequently put under significant pressure from the get-go.

Five minutes into the game Birmingham took an early lead, driving down the right and capitalising on player overload.

The ladies continued to come under tremendous pressure for most of the first half but managed to create a few attacking chances.

Lady luck was not on their side though, with near misses and decisions not going their way, including a disallowed goal from Nicola George.

Shortly before the half time, the university side scored again, a result of unfortunate miscommunication in Basingstoke’s defensive set-up.

In the second half, Basingstoke reset themselves and with fire in their bellies, set out to right the wrongs of the first half and they did not disappoint. From push back, they attacked well and continued this momentum and it was Birmingham’s turn to find themselves on the back foot.

Frida Kenning showed real tenacity by taking on a few university players, driving into the D, and scoring a fantastic reverse stick strike.

There was no stopping Basingstoke from this point, with captain Catriona Bausor charging down the right, using her admirable stick skills to beat the defensive line and striking the ball into the net.

This was an unbelievable two minutes of magical hockey to buoy Basingstoke’s weather beaten and ever faithful supporters that had travelled all the way to Birmingham.

The ladies 1s tried to push up the pitch to clinch the winner, leaving themselves open to a swift counter attack, with the university sprinting down the pitch en masse and slamming in a solid strike from the top of the D. The game concluded with a 3-2 win to Birmingham University.

The ladies 1s showed a lot of spirit and a key takeaway going forward is to take the game to the opposition from the onset.

It was a well-deserved and much needed 2-1 win for the ladies fifths in their rearranged match against league leaders Alton.

Basingstoke needed the win to stay in contention for promotion.

Basingstoke has the upper hand from start to finish, with 70 per cent possession throughout the game, and so many opportunities to score.

Player of the match Nell Ruane scored Basingstoke’s two goals, and an unfortunate defensive error allowed the opposition a consolation goal in the latter stages of the game.

In other games this weekend the men’s first team won 4-3 against Oxted, and the seconds lost 1-0 against Fareham.

The men’s fourths lost 3-2 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.