Basingstoke Hockey Club – Sports Report for 10 August

The last few weeks have been nothing short of electric for Basingstoke Hockey Club, with our members making waves from county level right through to the international stage, and flying the flag for the club in spectacular fashion.

On the national scene, Alice, Hannah and Jess were at the heart of Hampshire’s triumph at the National County Championships, powering their side all the way to the winners’ podium. It was a display of grit, skill, and pure hockey joy, and a reminder of the talent coming through our ranks.

Meanwhile, Cara and Alexis turned heads playing for the Reading Talent Academy. A thrilling 2-1 win over Surbiton saw Alexis steal the spotlight with both goals in the victory. Though narrow 1-2 defeats to Guildford and Beeston followed, the squad showed immense character to secure a strong third-place finish overall. The experience gained here will be priceless for their future games.

Also shining, representing Reading Talent Academy was Dylan, whose stick was on fire, netting twice in a 4-1 victory over North West, followed by wins against Cambridge (6-3) and Sevenoaks (2-1) to claim the championship title. A huge achievement in a hotly contested field.

The international stage in Nottingham for the 2025 Euro Champs has been buzzing with Basingstoke involvement. Sue Pett and England Women’s O70's opened their campaign in style with a 5-0 win over Belgium, followed by a tough 3-1 loss to Wales. With Scotland, the Netherlands and England O65's still to come, there’s all to play for. Guiding the squad from the dugout is none other than Ian Pett, serving as England’s team manager.

In the O55 category, Stuart “Chewie” Coleshill has been making his mark with the Scotland Thistles, holding Ireland to a 2-2 draw before a decisive 2-0 win over Alliance - Chewie himself opening the scoring in the 17th minute. With Southern Cross and England up next, the Thistles are currently sitting second in the table and eyeing the top spot.

Finally, Tania Bridge, representing the Alliance in the O55's, has been in the thick of the action also. After a narrow 2-1 loss to Wales, she struck early against Australia Spirits with a goal inside four minutes to set up a 1-1 draw, then helped power the team to a 4-2 win over France. Sitting 5th of 11 teams with England still to play, Tania and her teammates are well in the hunt for a strong finish.

From youth prodigies to seasoned internationals, Basingstoke’s players are proving that our hockey family can compete - and win - at every level. Whether you’re a future star, a returning player, or a fan looking for high-octane sport, now is the perfect time to get involved and be part of the excitement as we begin pre-season training at Down Grange. The pitch is calling!