HOCKEY: BASINGSTOKE Ladies are aiming to step up a gear after the mid-season break in a bid to take the Hampshire League title for the third successive year.

The team were unbeaten in the first half of the league season but dropped points after drawing with New Milton, Southampton and current leaders Havant.

Defensively, the team have made a strong start to the campaign but in front of goal they have yet to find the form of the past two seasons.

A good run in the national cup helped boost confidence as the side progressed to the fifth round (the last 64) before losing 4-0 to Sutton Coldfield, a side five leagues above them in the hockey pyramid.

Injury problems and unavailability have affected the make-up of the team with Fiona Holdcroft and Susan Stoate forced to sit on the sidelines.

Manager Steve Dummer said: "This has been a tough season, as the standard of hockey has got much better throughout the league, but we've progressed and have a few youngsters coming through.

"We've been strong in defence and Sarah Westcott has been outstanding in goal.

"Kat Gilbert has done well at sweeper and Catherine Savage has stepped in at centre-half in the absence of Jenny Rust. Stephi Vollmer has also made the step-up and scored some good goals.

"It's realistic to think that we can still win the league but we have to be positive and win every game from now on in."

Basingstoke's crunch game of the season will be on February 10 when they take on Havant at Down Grange in a game that could decide the title.

If Basingstoke do end the season top of the pile, they will face a play-off in April to win promotion to the South League.