WINTER
KNOCK-OUT CUP - SEMI FINAL
Click on a heading below to see the full story
Referees Cup off to a sterling start
(07.09.04)
Winter Knock-out semi final (11.03.04)
London League (22.02.04)
London League Cup — Semi Final
(04.02.04)
Hammersmith
Penguins 5, Basingstoke Ladies 4 (04.02.04)
Southern Counties Youth Team 11, Basingstoke Ladies 6 (04.02.04)
Hampshire
Squad & National League Training (23.01.04)
Basingstoke
1st team 16, Cranleigh 2nds 4 (20.01.04)
Basingstoke
Ladies 14, Wessex Ladies 6 (13.01.04)
Basingstoke
join National League (10.01.04)
News
Archive (old)
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REFEREES CUP OFF TO A STERLING START
Basingstoke A-team 23, ******* 13 (sorry, forgot who we were playing)
Team: Gavin, Paul Adams, Paul Hunt, Steve F, Ben Naylor, Alan, Neal, Trace mORGAN, Dave T.
The first game of the season was a satisfactory result for an incomplete team against one of the stronger clubs in the tournament. Starting the handicapped game with an 11 goal headstart the team done well to score only one less, missing their usual keeper and with major holes in the defence.
The long summer break had taken it's toll on an unfit Basingstoke team, but for most of the game the first-squad pulled together, filling the gaps of the lacking defence as well as those around the opposition's keeper's arms.
I don't have the score sheet so please excuse the limited write-up, but Dave T pulled the old magic out of the bag scoring a couple of cracking goals with his usual delicate touch. Neal had a strong offensive game, touching in a magestic pass from Trace, who set up several of the decisive goals. These included one of the two for Gavin, out on the right wing, receiving on his back and then seeing the puppy home.
Now almost expected good play came from Paul Hunt, who played a solid midfield, making space and steeling 50-50 balls; and Steve, who swam his little cotton socks off, winning the ball for all 3 of his start of quater balls. Ben Naylor played hole-defender amicably, wrestling with the big strong opposition he helped keep the goal tally in Basingstoke's favour. Dispite complaining of serious unfittness after the long and indulgent summer Alan gave it his best when battling in the offensive pit.
Paul was awarded man-of-the-match (amoungst the Basingstoke team) taking on the role of keeper with animpressive performance dispite this not being his usual position, but was also awarded Donkey-of-the-match for school-boy errors (and for being able to take the critisism).
Basingstoke can walk away from this match feeling confident for the on-coming season, which includes a return to National League after over 10 years, with only one of the previous squad still playing.
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WINTER
KNOCK-OUT CUP - SEMI FINAL
Basingstoke Ladies 3, Otter Ladies 11
Team: Julia Middleton, Kat Green, Katherine Walker, Katie White, Katy Cooper (GK), Kelli Bird, Kerry Martyn, Laura Murray, Leanne Bird, Nicky Stewart, Pauline Lipscombe, Sarah Curtis
The first leg of the final took place at home giving Basingstoke a home advantage (supposedly!). We didn't exactly benefit from this when a slightly nervous start for the team enabled Otter to break through and score the first goal. And the second. And the third. And the fourth. And, surprisingly, the fifth! The first quarter ended a pitiful 0-5 - oops! Nicky, keeper for this disastrous first quarter, was heard to announce rather loudly that "It wasn't me!" (in true shaggy style). She believes the team are entirely responsible and frankly, I don't blame her!
The second quarter produced a much better performance by Basingstoke. The defence improved dramatically and the team upped their 'aggressive tactical violence', shown by Kerry's first major foul! Although we were still unable to score, Otter only managed gain another 2 to end the quarter 0-7 (not quite a record!).
The third quarter meant it was now Laura's turn to put on the keeper hat. The first goal of the quarter actually came from Basingstoke! Our first goal of the game! Woo hoo! The goal came from Kat and was so long coming that some of the spectators started a Mexican wave to celebrate! Some nice defending during this quarter prevented Otter scoring on many occasions, for which Laura is still very grateful! She would also like to take this opportunity to thank the nameless individual who gave away a penalty meaning that the ball was flung at her head at what seemed like a million miles per hour. Needless to say, the penalty was not saved and the score at the end of third quarter was 1-9.
Otter opened the fourth quarter with yet another goal before Kat scored Basingstoke's second - cue more cheering and another Mexican wave! Otter were then awarded a penalty after Basingstoke's violent captain Kelli hit one of their players. Her sister Leanne, now in goal, was obviously very grateful for the opportunity to have a ball flung at her head too. Again, penalty scored. The final goal of the game came after Laura produced what is probably only the second sprint towards goal she has ever made, threw the ball into the pit and was partially drowned in the process. Thankfully a penalty was awarded and duly scored giving Basingstoke their third goal of the match. The match finished 3-11.
Although the match finished 3-11, the team have once again decided to disregard certain quarters, namely the first one, giving a final, and much more respectable, score of 3-6! I wonder if we can convince Otter to disregard the first quarter too………
Woo-Man of the match: Nicky Stewart
Donkey of the Match: The whole team for that abysmal first quarter!
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LONDON LEAGUE
Team: Julia Middleton, Kat Green, Katherine Walker, Katy Hooper, Kelli Bird, Kerry Martyn, Laura Murray, Leanne Bird, Nicky Stewart, Pauline Lipscombe, Sarah Curtis
Hammersmith Penguins 10, Basingstoke Ladies 0
(or 2-0 depending on who you speak to...)
The first match started fantastically……….for Hammersmith Penguins! It did not however go very well for Basingstoke. In fact I think being 8-0 down after the 2nd quarter has to be some kind of record! We at least achieved that!
The third and fourth quarters were much better as the team decided that the score line was embarrassing enough and didn't want the shame of losing 20-0. In an attempt to prevent them scoring further, we moved into aggressive mode, or some cases 'complete violence' mode! The first to display their violent tendencies was Miss Bird who was sent out for hitting someone over the head - excellent work! The next to be sent out was Kat followed by none other than Miss Bird for swimming over someone (twice in one match - a new girly team record).
A good, if somewhat violent and defensive, display of polo in the last two quarters meant that Hammersmith only scored 2 more goals taking the final score to 10-0. After a unanimous vote the team have decided to disregard the first two quarters - the match therefore ended 2-0 to Hammersmith.
Otter Ladies 6, Basingstoke Ladies 2
The second match against Otter started much better when Sarah scored the first goal to give Basingstoke a 1-0 lead. Much cheering followed this goal, as it was the first of the day. Even more cheering followed when it was realised that this was the first time that we had led in a London League match - woo hoo!
Unfortunately this was short lived as they scored soon after and then decided to score a couple more times. Still, at least being behind in a London League match is familiar - I was beginning to feel uncomfortable with the lead!
The violent tendencies of Miss Bird showed once again as she attempted to drown an Otter player and again she was sent out. Pauline was also sent out for what she describes as 'tactical violent playing'. The third quarter produced another goal for Basingstoke, this time from Kat. During this quarter Kat also showed off her skills at goal saving as she athletically leaped from the water to save the shot on goal with both hands. This however did not go down well with the referee, as Kat was not the goalkeeper at the time!! Penalty awarded! Penalty scored! Oops! 5-2!
The fourth quarter produced a 6th goal from Otter and another major for the team, this time coming from Nicky - in her defence I would like to point out that she was sent out for precisely nothing!
The match ended 6-2 to Otter. Not a bad score line. We are now ready to kick some ass when meet them in the final of the Winter Knockout Cup!
Woo-man of the match: The whole team!
Donkey of the match: Kat Green
for her two-handed save!
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London League Cup — Semi Final
Dame Alice Harper School 3, Basingstoke Ladies 23 (!)
Team: Heloise Hayakawa, Jo Hopkins, Julia Middleton, Katherine Walker, Kelli Bird, Laura Murray, Leanne Bird, Pauline Lipscombe, Sally Mitchell
After the two matches played in the London League last weekend, Basingstoke were hoping this weekends adventure would be slightly less exhausting! However, the team weren't exactly sure what to expect as no one knew how good the opposition were!
The opening 10 seconds were a bit of a shock as Dame Alice took an early lead after a stunning shot from 7m. Basingstoke however were slightly relieved when Sally Mitchell took off for goal a few seconds later. Anticipating a goal, the Basingstoke team relaxed. Somehow however Sally managed to have a few issues when trying to pick up the ball and practically handed it to the keeper - thus earning herself the title of 'Donkey of the Match'. Never before has this title been earned in the first 30 seconds of a match!!
This 'miss an easy goal' scenario was repeated only seconds later by Laura Murray, who was relieved that the Donkey title had already been awarded! Thankfully the scoring was opened by a more reliable shot from Kelli Bird! Basingstoke were on their way! The first quarter produced 5 more goals from Basingstoke to take the score to 1-6.
The second quarter was extremely successful with 5 more goals from Basingstoke, including goals from Sally and Laura to slightly redeem themselves! Dame Alice were prevented from scoring by a tight Basingstoke defence and some excellent saves from goal keeper, Jo Hopkins. The quarter ended 1-11.
After a blitz on goal by Katherine Walker and Kelli Bird, Basingstoke produced a very satisfying 7 goals during the third quarter. A solid(ish!) defence prevented Dame Alice from scoring anymore than 1 goal. The quarter finished 2-18.
The fourth quarter ended 3-23 after 5 more goals from Basingstoke, including 2 from Pauline Lipscombe who hadn't ventured near the goal for the whole match until the last remaining minute - what does that tell you Pauline?? She was heard to mention something about a bad back - excuses, excuses!
Goals throughout the match came from Heloise Hayakawa (3), Laura (2), Julia Middleton, Sally (3), Leanne Bird, Pauline (2), Kelli (6) and Katherine (5). The team were all very well behaved and the match ended with no major fouls.
The final of the cup now awaits and the team are plotting how to dispose of Otter Ladies, the team they face in the final, before the match as they won't provide such an easy game!
Woo-Man of the match: Katherine
Walker
Donkey of the Match: Sally
Mitchell
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Hammersmith Penguins 5, Basingstoke Ladies 4
Southern Counties Youth Team 11, Basingstoke Ladies 6
Team: Julia Middleton, Kat Green, Katherine Walker, Katie White, Kelli Bird, Kerry Martyn, Laura Murray, Leanne Bird, Nicky Stewart, Pauline Lipscombe, Sally Mitchell, Sarah Curtis
Having entered the Ladies London Waterpolo League in what can only be described as a moment of madness, the Basingstoke team were awaiting the first weekend of matches with a mixture of terror and fear!! However, having anticipated a 20-1 thrashing, Basingstoke managed to produce two good performances in closely fought matches.
The first match against Hammersmith Penguins began with 2 goals for the Penguins - confirming all fears about the score line!! Thankfully faith was restored before the end of the first quarter when Kerry Martyn came to the rescue (!) to score Basingstoke's first goal of the match, ending the first quarter 2-1.
The second quarter began with a goal from Sally Mitchell to take the score line to a very surprising (but deserved!) 2-2. The Penguins proved to be too good towards the end of the quarter when they broke through to regain their lead. The quarter finished 3-2 after some superb goalkeeping from Leanne Bird preventing Penguins scoring again.
The third quarter was a tightly fought contest with Penguins having the slight advantage as they managed to hit the target to increase their lead to 2 goals (4-2). Some very welcome good goalkeeping from Nicky Stewart prevented the Penguins increasing their lead any further. Actually, I'm pretty sure the only goal of this quarter was scored due to Nicky chatting and looking the other way??? D'oh!
The fourth quarter saw Penguins increase their lead to 5-2. Realising that this was not a good thing, Basingstoke stepped up a gear in an attempt to level the score line. After some incredibly dubious defending from the Penguins involving the sinking of Laura Murray and using her as surf board, Basingstoke's Katherine Walker and Kelli Bird managed to break through the Penguin's defence, without being pounded, to score a goal each and end the game a very respectable 5-4.
Only two members of the team were sent out for major fouls - Laura and Kat Green. I am assured that neither were deliberate - hmmmmmm?? I'll leave you to draw your own conclusions!
After what seemed to be a very short break, Basingstoke were back in the pool
to face the Southern Counties Youth Team. The first quarter did not go
quite as planned and ended with SC Youth leading 3-0 - enough said!
The second quarter began with goal from Basingstoke to take the score line to 3-1. Unfortunately this was shortly followed by a goal from SC Youth. However, Basingstoke, not to be outdone, came back with another goal to bring the gap back to 2 goals. The quarter ended with one final goal from SC Youth (getting very tedious now!), which ended the quarter 5-2.
The third quarter saw goals from them, us, them, us and……………..them (god damn it!). The third quarter therefore ended 8-4. The fourth quarter was extremely similar to the third quarter with 3 goals from them and 2 from us, ending the match with a 11-6 victory for SC Youth.
Goals throughout this match came from Julia Middleton, Nicky, Katie White, Katherine (2) and Kat. Pauline Lipscombe and Katherine were the only violent individuals of this match as they were sent out for major fouls. Pauline, rather proud of this foul now assures us that she is aiming to get wrapped up in our next game. The team are extremely proud of her ambitions and wish her every success!
Excuses for the defeat range from "we were tired and they weren't" to "the sun was in my eyes".
Seriously, well played from all. Although Basingstoke didn't win they put in two excellent performances and are now looking forward (possibly a slight exaggeration!) to the next London League weekend.
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Basingstoke 1st team 16, Cranleigh 2nds 4
Team:Paul Adams, Gavin Bridger, Trace Morgan, Paul Hunt, Adrian Gee, Neil Ingram, Alan Fairhead, Steve Fairhead
(Sorry, there's no write up for this match.)
Man of the match: Alan Fairhead
Donkey of the Match: Neil Ingram
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Basingstoke Ladies 14, Wessex Ladies 6
Team:Julia Middleton, Kelli Bird, Kerry Martyn, Laura Murray, Nicky Stewart, Pauline Lipscombe, Sarah Curtis
After having only 2 training sessions post-christmas to ‘swim off the turkey’, Basingstoke ladies team, along with 2 members of Andover ladies team, were launched straight into their first match of the year against Wessex ladies.
The first goal of match was nearly scored by Basingstoke’s Pauline Lipscombe. Seconds into the match Pauline broke for goal before having a shot only a metre away. The result? She managed to give the woodwork a good rattling! From that distance I’m inclined to say that hitting the post requires a great deal more skill than scoring!
The first goal came only a minute later from Laura Murray, newly motivated after a threatening conversation with the team coach as to what would happen if she didn’t score!! Needless to say it worked as another was added shortly after! Wessex were then able to score their first goal of the game after Nicky Stewart, goalkeeper for the first quarter, saved the shot before ‘fumbling’ it across the goal line! The rest of the quarter was a perfect ‘fumble’ free performance and coupled with a goal from Kelli Bird, the score at the end of the first quarter was 3-1 to Basingstoke.
The second quarter was fairly uneventful except for Wessex being awarded a penalty. Kelli, now in goal (rather reluctantly!) due to the keeper rotation system being used, was unable to stop the shot as it was blasted into the top corner of the goal. She was however rather chuffed that she managed to get a fingertip to it! With another 2 goals from Laura and 1 from Julia Middleton, Basingstoke retained their lead to finish the quarter 6-4.
The third quarter, certainly the most eventful of the match, began with goals from Julia and Kelli. The events following this didn’t run quite as smoothly. Due to the keeper rotation system it was now Laura’s turn between the posts. A few minutes into the quarter a Wessex player broke towards goal ready to take a shot. Thanks to a good defence the shot wasn’t too fast and she was able to stop it. Unfortunately, as she grabbed at the ball it was pushed under resulting in a penalty being awarded to Wessex. Faced with the decision about whether to protect her face or the goal, she hastily stuck her arms out and hoped for the best. Somehow the shot was anticipated correctly and the penalty was saved – miracle!
After saving the goal twice, Wessex were still rewarded after an own goal from Laura. Never one to do things the easy way, she extended her arm too far back when throwing the ball out and passed the ball into her own goal thus earning herself the title of donkey of the match!
Thankfully up stepped the Basingstoke defence to ensure that the ‘donkey’ didn’t get her hands on the ball again. With goals from Sarah Curtis, Nicky, Julia and Kelli, the quarter finished with a 5 goal lead (10-5).
The start of the fourth quarter signalled the removal of the ‘donkey’ from the goal and it was now Pauline’s turn. She put in an excellent performance only letting in 1 goal for the whole quarter (a vast improvement on her record of 9 let in – sorry Pauline, had to mention it somewhere!). A further 4 goals from Basingstoke wrapped up a successful match with a win of 14-6.
Woo-Man of the match: Nicky Stewart
Donkey of the Match: Laura Murray
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Basingstoke join National League
"I am delighted to report that at its latest meeting, the committee approved the membership applications of four new teams. They are:
Basingstoke
Jersey Waterpolo Association
University of Bristol
Portobello"
The offical notification from Chris Ducker, General Secretary of the National Water Polo League, has arrived to declare that Basingstoke is once again back in the league. It has been approx. 10 years since the club last participated, and with the standard of play higher than that which Basingstoke has become accustomed to the squad will be expected to train all the harder between now and the start of the season.
We will be one of nine teams making up Division 3 in this section, which - according to Mr. Ducker - will represent "a significant and very welcome expansion of the National League".
The town's year old facilities of the Aquadrome in the Leisure park are amounst the best in the South of England and so we will be hosting a few tournaments for the National League. Spectators are strongly encouraged to come and watch this engergetic sport being played at a serious level. The dates and venues of National League gamesare available at www.NWPL.co.uk, or please contact us for more details.
Click here for Hampshire squad's training times.
For a copy of the offical letter of notification click in the icon below:
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