South Berkshire Form

South Berkshire’s men’s 1st team slumped to a fourth successive defeat on Saturday, falling 5–1 away to Haslemere in a match that starkly highlighted their recent loss of form. After opening the season with four straight victories, Berkshire have now conceded 17 goals in their last three outings while finding the net only three times, and confidence appears to be ebbing away.

Haslemere took control early, capitalising on two first-half short corners to build a 2–0 advantage. The second of those goals—forced home with virtually the final touch before the break—proved a significant psychological blow to a Berkshire side already struggling to find rhythm or attacking cohesion. Little improved after halftime, and by the hour mark Haslemere had extended their lead to 4–0, exploiting gaps in a disjointed Berkshire defence.

A rare moment of quality offered brief hope when Luke Kennedy produced an excellent run down the right wing, creating chaos in the circle that eventually allowed Josh Cowell to scramble the ball over the line with 5 minutes remaining. Any chance of a late comeback evaporated almost immediately, however, as Haslemere restored their four-goal cushion just two minutes later to seal a comfortable 5–1 victory. Berkshire, now down to sixth in the table, are left with serious questions to address if they are to rediscover the sharpness that defined their early-season form.

At Cantley Park, the men’s 2nd team also endured disappointment, suffering a 3–1 defeat to Aylesbury—ending their run of two unbeaten matches. Joe Hayes supplied the Berkshire goal, but it wasn’t enough to lift the side, who now sit second from bottom in 11th place.

There was better news in Division 4 North, where both the men’s 3rd and 4th teams secured impressive wins. The 3rd team dispatched Sonning 3–0 with a composed performance, Elliott Spencer netting twice and Oliver Field adding a third. They climb to second place as a result. The 4th team produced the standout result of the day, emphatically beating Wootton Wanderers 6–1 at Cantley Park. Tom Scott and Chris Priddle each struck twice, with further goals from Justin Patterson and Mike Jarvis. The victory lifts them to ninth in the standings.
The men’s 5th team travelled to Henley for their Division 1 Thames fixture fielding a depleted squad following several injuries the previous week. Predictably, Henley took full advantage, establishing a 2–0 halftime lead. Berkshire responded admirably after the break with renewed determination, and Ethan Tann clawed one back on 45 minutes. Despite their spirited push for an equaliser, Henley struck again late on to seal a 3–1 defeat for the visitors, who now drop to seventh.

In contrast, the men’s 6th team continued their strong early-season form with a 3–0 home win over Phoenix Reading. Ryan Pogson maintained his remarkable scoring run, adding another hat-trick to his tally after netting four the previous weekend. The result keeps them firmly in second place.
The women’s 1st team suffered a narrow 1–0 defeat away to Southampton University, conceding late in the match. The women’s 2nd team were also beaten, losing 2–0 at home to Windsor. Both sides currently sit ninth in their respective divisions.

The women’s 3rd team enjoyed a positive afternoon with a composed 2–0 away win at Amersham. First-half goals from Blaire Sanders and Ilsa Clarke were enough to secure victory and maintain their position in eighth place.

There was a flurry of goals at Birch Hill, where both the women’s 4th and 5th teams recorded convincing home wins. The 4th team defeated Wallingford 4–2 with strikes from Alison Longfield, Mary King, Sandra Doddington, and Kat Smith, a result that lifts them to fourth in the table. The 5th team also impressed, overcoming Newbury 4–1 thanks to doubles from Clare Owen and Lauren Cardy. They climb to second place in their division.
On Sunday, the Mixed B team bowed out of the England Hockey Cup after a 6–3 loss away at Reading. Joe Hayes struck twice and Neil Bennett added another, but Berkshire were unable to close the gap against a strong home side.

Next weekend brings another packed schedule. Action at Cantley Park begins at 10:30 with the women’s 3rd team hosting Wallingford, followed by the men’s 3rd team against Aylesbury at noon. The men’s 1st team face Slough at 13:30 before the women’s 2nd team meet Sonning at 15:00. The women’s 5th team round off the day with a fixture against Slough. Over at Birch Hill, the men’s 5th team meet Amersham at 11:30.
Away fixtures include the women’s 4th team at Wycombe, the men’s O60s and men’s 4th team both at Amersham, the men’s 2nd team travelling to Maidenhead, the women’s 1st team heading to Havant, and the men’s 6th team visiting Wallingford.

Sunday’s slate features the Mixed A team hosting Sonning in the first round of the England Hockey Cup at 14:30 at Cantley Park.