Basingstoke Hockey Club’s Men’s 1s and Ladies’ 1s started their new season last weekend with defeats.

Newly promoted Men’s 1s started their league campaign in South Central Premier Division 1 at home against Staines Men’s 1s with a 4-5 defeat. Andrew Pett scored his hattrick for Basingstoke after returning to the club this season. Next week, Basingstoke travel away to face Henley Men’s 1s.

Basingstoke Ladies 1s, sponsored by KJ Smith Solicitors, began their league campaign in Vitality Women’s Conference West at home again Penarth Ladies 1s. Penarth started quickly, scoring two goals in the first quarter. Basingstoke fought hard but were unable to respond to the early goals from Penarth with the final score remaining 0-2. Basingstoke Ladies 1s travel away to play Exe Ladies’ 1s next week.

In contrast, Basingstoke Ladies’ 2s started with a big 5-1 win as they travelled away to face old rivals Portsmouth Ladies’ 1s.

Basingstoke Men’s 2s also travelled to play Portsmouth Men’s 1s. Goals for Andy Goddard and Rob Sheldrake secured a close 2-1 win to kick off the season.

Basingstoke Ladies’ 3s suffered a close 0-1 loss to Winchester 2s. Basingstoke Men’s 3s beat Petersfield Men’s 2s 2-1 with goals from Greg Smith and Will Delves.

Basingstoke Ladies’ 4s put four past Waterside Ladies’ 1s to secure the three points, with a hattrick for Ellie Youngs. The final score 4-2.  Basingstoke Men’s 4s drew 2-2 with US Portsmouth Men’s 2s after two goals for Crispin Beaumont.

Basingstoke Men’s 5s travelled to Fareham 7s for their first game of the season, a team who were promoted alongside Basingstoke last season. Basingstoke, who have a new group of juniors in the team, found themselves under significant pressure in the first half and went 1-0 down early on. Basingstoke battled on and in the second half a penalty corner from Chris Harman and a baseline conversion from Nick Dudman secured a 2-1 win for the team to continue their winning streak from December 2021.

Basingstoke Ladies’ 5s were awarded a walkover this week as their opposition conceded the game.

Basingstoke Ladies’ 6s lost 0-4 to Havant 4s and Basingstoke Men’s 6s suffered a 0-6 loss to Trojan’s 6s.

At home next week, (October 1) Basingstoke Men’s 2s face Salisbury Men’s 1s at 11.45am, followed by Basingstoke Ladies’ 2s against Banbury Ladies’ 1s at 1.30pm. There are also two interclub league derbies as the Men’s 4s face the Men’s 5s and the Ladies’ 3s face the Ladies’ 4s.

Alongside both Basingstoke Men’s and Ladies’ 1s away fixtures, Basingstoke Men’s 3s travel to Haslemere and Basingstoke Ladies’ 5s travel to Havant.