Haslemere Hockey Club’s ladies’ first team slipped to a narrow 2-1 defeat away at New Forest Hockey Club.

New Forest exploited the advantage of having the sun behind them and took the lead midway through the first half.

This fired up Haslemere and the team created a number of attacks, but they were not able to convert their opportunities. Five minutes before half-time, New Forest knocked a loose ball over the line after a goalmouth scramble, and the hosts led 2-0 at half-time.

The second half started positively for Haslemere. The visitors won a penalty corner, and a slap from Rachel Selmes at the top of the D was expertly deflected in by Celia Hall to make it 2-1. Haslemere piled on the pressure and created many chances, but were unable to find an equaliser.