Monks House hit back to slow Tower’s charge

Spalding Hockey Club hosted the second primary schools hockey tournament at Glen Park, Surfleet.
Nineteen teams from 13 schools took part, giving more than 150 youngsters the chance to represent their schools. Games were excellently controlled by teenage umpires from the club.
Boston-based Tower Road A got off to a flying start in League A, winning their first two matches, beating John Harrox A (3-1) and Ayscoughfee A (4-0). They were on the way to a clean sweep, leading Monks House 2-0 at half-time. However the current champions bounced back and scored twice in an exciting finish to share the points. Monks House were held to a goalless draw by Ayscoughfee A in their opening game but beat John Harrox A (2-0) to finish second.
Tower Road demonstrated the strength in depth at the school with their B team dominating League B. The team won all four matches, against Eye Primary (3-1), St John’s (1-0), St Norbert’s (2-0) and St Thomas’ (1-0). St Norbert’s started strongly with wins over St John’s (2-0) and St Thomas’s (1-0) but were held to a goalless draw by Eye in their final game and had to settle for second place.
In League C, Gosberton Academy A were held to a goalless draw against neighbours Risegate but went on to win their other three games, beating Pinchbeck East (3-0), Tower Road C (3-0) and Surfleet Primary (2-0). Gosberton Risegate were also on form with 1-0 wins over Surfleet Primary, Pinchbeck East and Tower Road C to finish second on goal difference.
Spalding Parish dominated League D, winning all four games without conceding a goal. They beat Ayscoughfee B (1-0), Gosberton Academy B (3-0), Tower Road D (1-0) and John Harrox B (4-0).
Tower Road D on their debut did well to finish as runners-up, beating John Harrox B (2-1) and Gosberton Academy B (2-0) and drawing with Ayscoughfee B (1-1).
Tournament Three is scheduled for Friday, February 2, 2024.
So successful have the tournaments been that the club has been invited to take part in a national forum on hockey development.