Hockey round-up: Spalding 1st flying high in table after battling Shefford and Sandy success

Spalding 1st climbed up to third in the East Men’s Hockey League Premier B table with a 2-1 victory over Shefford and Sandy 1st on Saturday.

Steve Rogers volleyed Spalding into a 1-0 half-time lead at Glen Park, but the visitors levelled 17 minutes from time from a penalty flick. However, Josh Rowbottom met Jake Baker’s perfect cross to fire the winner three minutes from time.

In Division 1N, Long Sutton 1st were 4-1 winners over Dereham 2nd thanks to goals from Sam Markille and Luke Jackson and Jacob Synnott.

In Division 4NW, Long Sutton 2nd beat Spalding 3rd 5-2 to stay top as James Collingwood-Smith (3) and Tyler Hagan (2) did the damage.

In the same division, Spalding 2nd won 3-2 at Cambs South 2nd after goals from Dan Azzopardi, Ryan Mountney and Sullivan Smith and are now second.

Down in Division 5NW, Spalding 4th suffered a 5-4 defeat at St Neots 2nd and are now in the bottom three.

It was a better day for Spalding 5th in Division 6NW (N) as they hammered hosts Bourne Deeping 6th 5-0. Jason Naylor (2), Darren Willson (2) and Deane Baker netted.

Long Sutton 3rd won 3-1 against Alford 2nd in the same division, with Mark Riddington and Ian White among the scorers.

• Spalding Poachers 1st enjoyed a 4-1 victory over Alford 1st in East Women’s Hockey League Division 2N.

After falling behind, youngster Jess Ball levelled before the break.

Kelly Slater, skipper Karen Timby and Lyn Sullivan then scored after the interval to secure the win.

Meanwhile, Long Sutton 1st were humbled 5-0 by Pelicans in the same division.

In Division 4NW (N), Spalding 3rd were 3-1 winners over Spilbsy 1st thanks to Codie O’Leary (2) and Sam Foston.

Saturday’s fixtures: Men – IES 1st v Spalding 1st (2.30pm); Pelicans 1st v Long Sutton 1st (2.30pm); Spalding 2nd v Bourne Deeping 3rd (2pm); Kettering 2nd v Spalding 3rd (2.30pm); Long Sutton 2nd v Alford 1st (2.30pm); Spalding 4th v March 2nd (3.30pm); Spalding 5th v Long Sutton 3rd (12.30pm).

Women – St Ives 2nd v Spalding 1st (12.30pm); Long Sutton 1st v Cambs City 4th; Spalding 2nd v Royston 1st (11am); Woodhall Spa 1st v Spalding 3rd (2pm); Long Sutton 2nd v Bourne Deeping 3rd (9.30am).