Hockey round-up: Promoted Spalding men secure draw on their Premier Division bow

The East Hockey League returned on Saturday as teams from Spalding and Long Sutton kicked-off another campaign.

On the men’s side, Spalding 1st started life in the Premier Division with a 2-2 draw at Cambridge University 1st.

There was a defeat for Long Sutton 1st in Division 2NW as they went down 3-2 at Cambridge South 2nd despite goals from Josh Fyson and man-of-the-match McKenzie East.

Promoted Long Sutton 2nd enjoyed a great start to life in Division 3NW as they defeated Cambridge South 3rd 3-2 at the Peele Leisure Centre.

Alex Canham netted twice for the hosts, before man-of-the-match Will White smashed home a stunning late winner.

In the same division, Spalding 2nd suffered a 4-0 home defeat against March Town 1st at Glen Park.

There was also defeat for Spading 3rd, who were picked off 4-0 by St Neots 2nd.

In Division 5NW, Long Sutton 3rd battled out a 2-2 draw with Spalding 4th in the first South Holland derby of the season.

Luke Jackson and Troy Croxford netted the Sutton goals at Glen Park.

In the East Women’s League, Spalding Poachers 1st suffered a 5-3 home defeat against St Neots 1st on their return to Division One North.

Down in Division 2NW, Long Sutton’s ladies were handed a 3-0 home reverse by Cambridge South 3rd.

Elsewhere, Spalding Poachers 2nd began their Division 3NW campaign with a battling 1-0 win over Kettering 1st.

Down in DIvision 4NW, there was also a 1-0 win for Spalding Poachers 3rd as they edged past St Neots 4th.

But Long Sutton ladies’ 2nd endured a 6-0 thumping against Wisbech Town 3rd in their Division 5NW opener.