Basingstoke Hockey Club delivered another action-packed weekend of games, with players of all ages taking to the field in matches filled with grit, skill, and teamwork, writes Bex Donaldson.
From hard-fought battles to commanding wins, every team showcased the spirit that defines the club.
Victory for the Ladies 1s came courtesy of Catriona "Tuna" Handley, whose decisive goal earned them a 1-0 triumph over Amersham & Chalfont.
The team’s resilience in a tense encounter highlighted their growing momentum this season.
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Over in the Ladies 2s fixture, a tightly contested 1-1 draw with Banbury 1s saw Alice Banwell find the net in a match where determination and grit were on full display.
Winchester proved too strong for the Ladies 3s, with Basingstoke falling to a 4-1 defeat despite a standout goal from Kirsten Hazelwood.
Against league leaders Andover, the Ladies 4s put up a valiant fight in a challenging 6-0 loss, with Imi Rixon impressing in her first-ever game as goalkeeper.
Meanwhile, Charlotte Hazelwood’s goal for the Ladies 5s wasn’t enough to turn the tide in their 3-1 loss to Chichester, though the team continues to show growth and determination.
An impressive 4-1 win for the Men’s 1s against Slough 1s underlined their dominance, with Graham Garrett Lang taking two whilst Dean Record and Andy Pett grabbed one apiece.
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The Men’s 2s played out a closely contested 1-1 draw against Southampton University.
Andy Footman’s goal ensured Basingstoke came away with a hard-earned point, with the team displaying resilience throughout the match.
The Men’s 3s faced a high-scoring affair against Poole but were unable to overcome their opponents, falling to a 6-3 defeat, with Will Hazelwood scoring twice and Greg Smith scoring once.
Despite the loss, the team showcased flashes of creativity and determination, battling hard until the final whistle.
Continuing their incredible unbeaten streak, the Men’s 4s delivered a masterclass against Portsmouth, earning a 6-1 victory and extending their perfect season to nine matches.
Two goals from Harrison Spicer-Martinez, plus singles for Harry Cave, Eliot Boyd, Cian O’Reilly and John Vout, showcased their firepower and cohesion throughout.
At home, the Men’s 5s turned in a commanding performance to beat Havant 6s 4-1.
Ben Worgan led the scoring with two goals, while Elliot Kirkman and Dominic Ripton-Palmer rounded off an impressive team display.
Hamble 3s proved too much for the Men’s 6s, who lost 4-1 despite a goal from Dino De Faria.
Parker’s brilliant performance in goal kept the scoreline from being higher, earning him a well-deserved Man of the Match nod.
Cup success was the story for the Mixed XI, who edged a dramatic 3-2 win over Winchester in the EH Mixed Cup first round.
Goals from Dylan Brockbank, Phil Stewart, and Connie Pike saw the team progress to the next round, with a thrilling match keeping spectators on the edge of their seats.
It was a busy and brilliant Sunday for the youth section as well, as the U12s played at Alton.
The Blue team dominated their fixtures with 6-1 and 7-2 wins, playing "total hockey" led by Felix, Harry and a rock-solid defence from Max.
The Reds showcased resilience, earning a gritty 1-1 draw against Andover before overpowering Alton B in a 4-0 victory.
The Yellows focused on development and showed determination against tough opponents, with standout performances from Eben, Daniel and Jack.
The U12 Girls competed in Andover with the Reds achieving two strong wins, including a 4-1 comeback against Aldershot & Farnham and a 3-1 victory over Winchester.
The Whites battled hard in tough games, showing grit and teamwork despite the results.
Two U8 teams took to the field at Aldershot, playing with bravery and enthusiasm.
Their energy and effort were evident throughout, and they represented the club with pride, supported by excellent coaching from Luke.
From first teams to youth squads, this weekend was a celebration of effort, teamwork and the never-say-die attitude of Basingstoke Hockey Club.
With successes to build on and lessons learned, the future looks brighter than ever.
Next weekend’s home fixtures see the Ladies 1s host Oxford University separated by just one league point at 1.30pm, which promises to be a thrilling clash.
All spectators will receive a warm welcome in the clubhouse, whatever the temperature on the pitch.
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