Hockey round-up: Super Stuart stars to inspire Spalding men to a weekend double

Stuart Cunnington scored five times as Spalding 1st enjoyed two East Men’s Hockey League Premier B victories in as many days over the weekend.

Ace goal-getter Cunnington bagged a treble to inspire Spalding to a 4-3 win at Bourne Deeping 1st on Saturday, with Joe Maltby the other scorer.

That man Cunnington then notched a double to seal a 2-1 Glen Park victory over Blueharts on Sunday, moving Spalding up to fourth in the table with two wins from three games.

In Division 2N, Long Sutton 1st were outgunned by hosts Harleston Magpies 3rd despite a hat-trick from Josh Baker. Sutton, who were 2-0 and 3-1 down, were missing a few key men and came up just short.

In Division 3NW, Long Sutton 2nd edged out Spalding 2nd 3-2 in a derby cracker at the Peele Leisure Centre.

Goals from Jeremy Watt and Tom Amess did have Spalding 2-1 up at one point, but Sutton – through James Collingwood, Josh Fyson and Brad Sargeant – hit back to take the local bragging rights.

Down in Division 4NW, Spalding 3rd picked up their first win of the season by seeing off St Ives 3rd 4-1 at Glen Park.

Also on-song were Spalding 4th in Division 5NW, as they romped to a 7-2 success at Bourne Deeping 4th. It was a fine day for Matthew Hicks, who helped himself to four of the goals while Jacob Drew (2) and Daniel Plant completed a superb showing.

Meanwhile, Spalding 5th were again made to rue missed chances as they lost 1-0 at home to Bourne Deeping 6th in Division 6NW (N). Youthful Spalding had three 13-year-olds in their side and were undone by a goal just before half time.

In the same division, Long Sutton 3rd were awarded a 5-0 win by Horncastle 2nd.

• Spalding Poachers 1st continued their perfect start to the East Women’s Hockey League Division 2N season by beating Bourne Deeping 1st 2-1 at Glen Park.

Charlotte Maplethorpe’s double made it two wins from two for them.

In the same division, Long Sutton ladies’ 1st were 3-1 winners over Cambs Nomads 1st as Connie Gittins, Jess Burton and Hannah Baker all netted at the Peele Leisure Centre.

In Division 3NW, Spalding Poachers 1st were 9-0 home winners over Louth 2nd with Charlotte Morris (2), Sharon Amess, Samantha Foston (2), Terri Bateman (2), Kelly Tizzano and Amy Naylor all on target. Long Sutton 2nd lost 7-0 at Leadenham 1st.