Megan Payne was the Basingstoke Hockey Club ladies fourth hat-trick hero as they beat Blandford 5-1

Basingstoke having the upper hand from start to finish.

Megan Payne started off the scoring frenzy with a cricket style tap into the top left corner of the goal following a deflected shot from Beth Flintoff.

Ulrike Maier followed this up, breaking free from four of the opposition to dribble the ball into the goal.

For Basingstoke’s third goal, Payne and Maier paired up overpowering the defence leading to Payne’s second goal. The intensity continued in the second half, with Joanne Gault making a lovely cross into the D, allowing Maier to strike the ball in her classic style into the back of the net.

This was followed by another sneaky goal from Megan Payne making it a hat-trick for the talented player.

A consolation goal from Blandford, did not deter the ladies 4s from a great team effort and well-deserved 5-1 win.

Basingstoke Ladies first team sponsored by KJS Solicitors came up against Cheltenham this weekend.

Basingstoke started strongly, with wave after wave of attacking play, and winning a penalty, but unfortunately failing to capitalise on this opportunity.

Moments later, against the run of play, Cheltenham turned the ball over high up the pitch powering upon goalkeeper Gemma Carswell, in a two on one scenario, with Cheltenham scoring.

This was the turning point of the match from then on in, until the last quarter, with Cheltenham putting Basingstoke under consistent pressure and winning multiple penalty corners.

Basingstoke worked hard in defence in trying to keep the wolves at bay.

However, Cheltenham’s pressure paid off with them winning a penalty corner in the third quarter. The ill executed strike didn’t stop a Cheltenham player from taking the ball wide and striking the ball to find the back of the net.

In the final quarter, Basingstoke, with nothing to lose and 2-0 down, went out guns blazing.

All players pushed up the pitch, overwhelming Cheltenham’s defence.

Had there been another ten minutes of play, it is likely that Basingstoke would have achieved a draw at the least. However, it was not to be and the ladies lost 2-0.

Credit to midfielder and player of the match Roxanne O’Dea, who’s work rate was outstanding during the game.

In their away match against Alton, the ladies sixth team lost 3-0 against a youthful and well drilled side which caused Basingstoke problems from the off.

Although Basingstoke’s defence worked hard to keep Alton at bay, they were unable to prevent Alton from taking an early lead just before half time.

The second half was more of the same with Basingstoke making some progress up the pitch and having a few chances to equalise. Basingstoke weren’t going down without a fight.

However, Alton were finding gaps for shots which were swiftly dealt with by player of the match, goalkeeper Eleanor Roberts. Alton’s persistent led to two more goals and the game ended with a 3-0 win to Alton.

In other games this week, the ladies fifths won 3-1 against Haslemere, and the sevenths beat Hamble 2-0.

The thirds drew 2-2 with Aldershot and Farnham. The seconds won 2-1 against Andover and the under 16 girls beat Aldershot and Farnham 4-3.

In the men’s games, the firsts lost 3-2 against Croydon and the fourths went down 3-1 against Gillingham.

The thirds lost 3-2 against Chichester and the seconds won 5-3 against Trojans.

The fifths lost 1-0 against Yateley.

The under-10 boys came second overall in their in2hockey tournament, just losing out to Romsey in the final, with both Romsey and Basingstoke representing Hampshire in the regionals to be played at Surbiton on May 3.

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.