The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Spalding Water Polo enjoyed a stunning 15-5 win over Northampton in their latest Herts League match.
The match started slowly with some wild shots, but Spalding eventually took the lead through Ed Martin, only for Northampton to quickly equalise.
A personal driving goal from Jack Carpenter put Spalding ahead again, but Northampton again equalised with ten seconds of the quarter left.
A back-flip goal from John James, a 10m effort from Gareth Lord and an own goal soon increased Spalding’s lead early in the second quarter.
Good teamwork in defence and great saves by keeper James Teesdale prevented Northampton from scoring, before Martin got his second goal on the counter attack.
Accurate passing by Spalding saw them dominate the final minutes of the quarter and enabled Tim Shields to score his first, before James and Lord to each got their second to make it 9-2.
The third quarter saw both teams defend well from the start, but Northampton were the first to find the net when Spalding had a player excluded. But a foul on James gave Spalding the opportunity to swiftly pass to Harry Bumfrey to increase their lead again, with a perfect shot in the top corner making it 10-3.
The fourth quarter started with a quick goal from Northampton, but Martin soon added two more goals from wonderful lob shots.
Carpenter quickly bagged his own brace of goals before Northampton fought back with another goal. Spalding had the last word, though, as James added his third of the match following a corner.
Captain Carpenter said: “It was a fantastic game – the best we have played as a team for a long while. Great effort from all.”
