Basingstoke Hockey Club kicked of most of their league matches this week.

Basingstoke ladies first team, sponsored by KJS Solicitors were full of confidence and enthusiasm following a high scoring and successful pre-season.

Playing away against last year’s league winners Surbiton IIs, the game was never going to be boring.

The game was pretty much even in the early stages, with both teams making positive attacking play.

However, as the game progressed a talented and well-prepared Surbiton applied a lot of pressure, forcing Basingstoke to be on the back foot and play a very defensive game.

In the second half Basingstoke attempted to push back Surbiton, but they were no match against Surbiton’s attacks and lightning paced execution.

Basingstoke had several quick counter attacks, but to no avail, with their only penalty corner of the match, going wide of the far post.

Surbiton’s attack was relentless, and they continued to attack, winning several penalty corners, two of which converted.

The game concluded with a disappointing 3-0 win to Surbiton. Basingstoke ladies look forward to bouncing back next week when they host Oxford University on Saturday (13.30pm).

The seconds started their league campaign strongly with a solid performance against Fareham, resulting in a comfortable 3-0 win.

Basingstoke’s first goal came from a perfectly timed pass from Katie Hossick to Michelle Rounding who immediately found the back of the net.

The second half started off strongly with great movement and passing around the pitch, with Tania Bridge’s goal putting the score at 2-0.

The final goal came Jude Bird, and the game concluded with a well-deserved 3-0 win to Basingstoke.

Haslemere was the venue for the third team to take on the formidable Haslemere ladies twos.

The game started well with Basingstoke’s Philippa O’Sullivan scoring an early goal.

However, the home side weren’t going down without a fight, scoring minutes after Basingstoke’s goal.

In the second half, the game continued to be evenly matched with good passing and possession from both teams.

O’Sullivan had a cracking game, showed by her scoring a hat trick for Basingstoke. Haslemere were the better team in terms of score line.

However, with several players out due to injury, Basingstoke’s valiant performance must be commended. The game concluded with a 5-3 win to Haslemere ladies 2s.

Basingstoke Ladies fourths were away to Haslemere IIIs.

They won 4-0 with Sharon Holden and Ulrike Maier scoring two goals each. A good all-around performance from Basingstoke

Also kicking of their first league match were the fifths travelled to Chichester to take on Chichester IVs.

The relentless rain did not stop Basingstoke from putting up a strong fight against Chichester, who on paper where meant to be the much stronger team.

The game was evenly matched with both teams having opportunities to score but weren't able to seize the opportunity. With the game concluding with a 0-0 draw.

Continuing their pre-season friendlies, Basingstoke Ladies super sixes and sevens travelled to play against Romsey.

The ladies started the game strongly and continued to press the opposition in their hunt for goals. It didn’t take long for Basingstoke’s Joey Lockyer to open the scoring.

Basingstoke increased the pressure and Romsey found themselves 2-0 down from a short corner from another Joey Lockyer goal.

The second half was pretty much a repeat of the first, with Basingstoke showing great passing play through the midfield and building an attacking formation.

Basingstoke’s third goal coming from the experienced Patricia Flynn to seal the victory. Overall an impressive performance from Basingstoke Ladies sixes and sevens.

The men's first team travelled to Andover. The game went Basingstoke’s way, with a well-deserved victory seeing Basingstoke winning 3-0.

Goals came from Graham Garret-Lang, Danny Bowden, and Dean Record.

Basingstoke seconds took on Sonning IIs in their last friendly before the start of the league.

The first half saw Basingstoke missing a few opportunities to score but defending brilliantly based on pressure from the opposition, with the first half ending 0-0.

The second half saw both teams pushing to get a goal, and it was Basingstoke who took an early lead through a well worked game plan that ended with James Orr slotting the ball into the net. With an inspired team looking to score more goals, Basingstoke never looked back.

Man, of the match, Andy Goddard got the second goal with a top-class finish. An impressive overhead shot from Dan Holding secured the win.

The game concluded with a 3-0 win to Basingstoke.

The thirds lost 2-1 in the final few minutes to a strong Newbury 3s side.

Basingstoke’s goal came from Kyle McFee.

The men’s fourths drew 2-2 against Newbury IV.

Goals came from Euan Rixson and Ross Cavalier.

The men’s fifths won 1-0 against Newbury VI with a great goal from Mark Godfrey securing the victory.

If you are interested in discussing sponsorship options, please contact projectpitch@basingstoke-hockey.com.