The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Spalding Hockey Club enjoyed a weekend to remember as they landed the top two Lincolnshire Championships titles.
On Saturday, the club’s ladies beat both Lincoln and Long Sutton to land their crown, while the men followed suit 24 hours later by seeing off Alford, Long Sutton and Brigg to seal their trophy.
Spalding’s ladies went into the event as champions – and kicked off their defence against a Lincoln side that plays a level higher.
Despite falling behind in a game that flowed from end to end, the Poachers improved after the break and were rewarded when skipper Kelly Tuplin equalised with a well struck short corner.
They then completed the comeback two minutes from time when Katie Gray beat two defenders and the keeper to slot home.
The round robin tournament concluded with an all-South Holland clash with Sutton.
Despite the brave keeping of Sutton’s England international Lorraine Wallis, Spalding grabbed the only goal when Gray broke down the line and played the ball to Tuplin, who finished well.
That’s now three county titles in four years for the impressive Poachers.
Spalding’s men, meanwhile, kicked off with a dominant 10-0 triumph over battling Alford.
Connor Allen and Stuart Cunnington found the net in the opening few minutes, before Michael Morris, Harry Vickers and Mark Riley gave Spalding a comfortable 5-0 lead at the interval.
A hat-trick from Russell Watts and further strikes from Allen and Cunnington pushed the scoreline into double figures in the second period.
It was much tighter in the semi-final, where Spalding were up against rivals Long Sutton, who had received a bye in the first round.
A great reverse stick strike from Cunnington put Spalding ahead mid-way through the first half, with Sam Howitt and Brendan Morris both outstanding in defence at the other end.
Vickers finished well from a tight angle to make it 2-0 before the close to set up a final with Brigg.
They fell behind early on in the grand finale, but turned the game on its head to race 2-1 up thanks to Allen’s penalty stroke and another Cunnington effort.
Further goals from Allen and Mark Riley put Spalding 4-1 ahead – and, despite Brigg reply, Morris struck late on to seal a 5-2 victory and the title.
