St Norbert’s land a third league crown

The finals of the Spalding Primary Schools Hockey Tournaments – hosted by Spalding Hockey Club – were held at Glen Park last week.

Some 17 teams from 14 primary schools (around 150 youngsters in total) competed in four graded leagues in a hugely successful conclusion to the season.

The teams were placed in advance, intermediate and two beginner leagues.

The advanced league was closely-contested throughout, with high quality and competitive games.

Ayscoughfee A got off to a great start with a 2-1 victory over title holders John Harrox and then went on to beat St John’s 2-0 and Boston’s Tower Road 3-0.

St Norbert’s were made to work hard in their opening game against St John’s, but a late goal earned them a 1-0 win.

Opponents Tower Road took an early lead in their second game, but St Norbert’s fought back to win 3-1 and then beat John Harrox A 3-0 in their third game.

This set up a thrilling final contest between Ayscoughfee A and St Norbert’s. With both teams having won their previous three games and having an identical record, it was a winner take all situation.

An exciting and fiercely fought game between these closely matched teams looked to be going to extra time and golden goal but, with just two minutes remaining, St Norbert’s scored to lift the title for the third time in the tournament’s seven-year history.

Although St John’s and Tower Road finished with just a point apiece, they can take great heart from the way they battled throughout.

In the Intermediate league, Wyberton opened their account with a 4-2 win over their neighbours St Thomas’s before going on to beat Tower Road B 3-1.

Eye Primary also started with a win, beating Tower Road B 2-1 and then St Thomas’s 4-0 to set up a deciding clash with Wyberton.

This tightly-fought contest ended goalless, giving Eye Primary the title on goal difference.

In the beginner A league, Gosberton Academy got off to a cracking start by beating John Harrox B 6-0 in their opening game and then Gosberton Risegate 2-1 in the second.

The impressive St John’s B team had been held to an exciting 3-3 draw by Gosberton Risegate, but then beat John

Harrox B 6-1 to set up a decider against Gosberton Academy.

St John’s B turned on the heat to run out 4-0 winners and take the league title.

Meanwhile, Weston Hills were dominant in the beginner B league but were made to work extremely hard for their 1-0 win by a determined Spalding Parish team in their opening game.

They went on to beat Surfleet Primary (4-0) and Ayscoughfee B (4-2) in their other games to win the league with a 100 per cent record.

Behind them, Ayscoughfee B and Surfleet Primary were separated on goal difference.

Trophies were awarded to the four league winners by Anna Scott of tournament sponsors Doodles Pottery Painting.