A poor nine-minute spell in the second half undid all the good work from Spalding before the break.

Newark had the distinction of being the only team to have suffered a league defeat at the hands of Spalding earlier in the season but are now lying 
comfortably mid-table with an excellent home record.

By contrast Spalding’s form with some heavy defeats did not bode well for Saturday’s outing.

The story of the game was not so much about how many tries were conceded but the fact at half-time Spalding had Newark worried, being only seven points down, having the more dominant scrum and lineout and having had a try disallowed.

Newark started well and for the first 15 minutes pinned Spalding back in their half, spreading the ball along their speedy backs with quick 
handling looking for the break or an overlap on the wings.

But Spalding’s backs were up for the challenge with Adam Castle back on the wing and Joe Grundy in the centre outside Jason Steels providing the 
energy to close space down and secure their tackles.

Gav Sharman on the right wing was being constantly tested but his tackling and tracking back was outstanding.

When Newark did manage to break through, George Douglas was there with his determined last-ditch tackles or his bravery under a high ball.

Finally Newark made the breakthrough to open their scoring with a converted try after 20 minutes.

From the restart Spalding took the game to Newark with the forwards dominating possession.

Ash Piccaver was proving a handful with his carries and so was captain Tom Duerden as Newark were resorting to relieving kicks to touch.

Josh Caley’s throwing in at lineouts, particularly to Duerden, worked well with Kieran Bailey also winning ball at the front.

From this possession, Kev Hudson drove for the try line – only to be stopped inches short – and moments later a try appeared to have been scored, only to be brought back for a Spalding penalty.

Will Shields made a break down the line but put a fraction of his foot on the line and Castle followed with a break down the same wing but was tackled just short.

At half-time Newark were rattled with the game very much in the balance.

They appeared to have come up with the answer immediately from the restart with their second converted try as they stepped up their intensity.

But Spalding kept battling away, using an intelligent deep kick over Newark’s defence and the chase was on as the ball travelled into the in-goal area with Sharman winning the touchdown for an unconverted try.

A nine-minute spell secured victory with Spalding’s concentration levels lapsing for the first time in the game.

A misplaced pass and a couple of failed tackles on Newark’s centre and suddenly 21 points had been conceded.

With nearly 20 minutes still to play Spalding, to their credit, denied Newark any further scoring opportunities.

Coach Bruno Figueiredo used his full bench to bring fresh energy to his team with Jacob Greaves making his first-team debut in the pack.

Although this was another defeat, there were plenty of positives to take away from the game – if not this season but next year’s campaign.

Spalding: Waudby, Caley, Watts, Hudson, Turner, Piccaver, Bailey, Duerden, Cooke, Castle, Steels, Grundy, Sharman, Douglas. Subs: Cole, Brown, Greaves.

Villages between Donington and Boston could be losing their phone boxes after claims of a lack of usage.

Phone boxes in Algarkirk, Fosdyke, Kirton, Kirton End, Kirton Holme, Sutterton, Swineshead and Wigtoft could all be removed by BT whose figures showed an overall 90 per cent drop in use of them over the last ten years.

BT and Boston Borough Council, which provides waste collection, planning and environmental health services for all eight villages, are in talks about taking away a total of 12 phone boxes across the villages.

A Boston Borough Council spokesman said: “BT is consulting the local communities and council, asking for comments on their proposals to remove 23 payphones within the borough.

“As part of this, BT asks that if communities have any comments that they forward them to the council’s Planning Department.

“If you have comments in support, or objecting to the removal of a payphone, or if you wish to adopt a traditional red ‘heritage’ box to make them an asset that local people can enjoy, then please let us know.

“It is a relatively simple process to adopt a telephone box and costs just £1.”

To make a comment, either e-mail planning@boston.gov.uk or write to Planning Services, Municipal Buildings, West Street, Boston, PE21 8QR.

Please title your letters or emails “BT payphone removal consultation” and ensure your comments are made by Tuesday, March 7, 2017.

The spokesman said: “BT says that overall use of payphones has declined by over 90 per cent in the last decade and the need to provide payphones for use in emergency situations is diminishing all the time.

“At least 98 per cent of the UK has either 3G or 4G coverage which is important because as long as there is network coverage, it is now possible to call the emergency services, even when there is no credit or coverage from your own mobile provider.”

Police are appealing for information after 500 litres of heating oil were stolen from a property in Sutton Bridge.

The theft occurred between February 18 and March 2 at Hospital Road, Wingland.

If anyone saw anything suspicious or has any information then please contact Lincolnshire Police on the 101 number, quoting incident number 105 of March 3.

PCSO Toni Gordon of the Suttons Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “Please could I ask all residents who have heating oil to be vigilant and check their heating oil tanks.”

A Deepings sport club has secured a grant from South Kesteven District Council (SKDC) to make more secure for tennis hopefuls in the area.

A grant from SKDC’s Community Fund was awarded to Deeping Tennis Club to refurbish the perimeter fence at its

courts in Langtoft.

It now provides a safer place for dozens of local children and adults to enjoy practice lessons and games at

the club.

Colin Pummell, Chairman of Deeping Tennis Club, said: “The fencing was in real need of repair and we thank the Community Fund for the opportunity to make the courts more attractive for everyone to use.

“It makes all the difference in ensuring our members, and those who wish to use the courts, can do so in a facility fit for purpose.”

SKDC Leader Coun Bob Adams said: “The improvement to the perimeter of the club’s site will mean that potential Andy Murrays and Johanna Kontas can enjoy the sport in more comfortable and safe surroundings.

“It is a good example of the Community Fund’s commitment to allocating funding to projects that will have a wide community benefit.

“This will only enhance the sporting facilities available for those in Langtoft and the surrounding area.”

Vehicles have been seized and people thrown out of the county after hare coursing days of action in south Lincolnshire.

A day of action in Deeping St James on Saturday was organised following concerns from the local community. This resulted in two vehicles being seized and five people directed to leave the county under a dispersal order in relation to hare coursing.

Earlier, on February 18, a team focused on the Deeping St Nicholas area. Three men were directed to leave the county, a vehicle was seized and a driver dealt with for traffic offences.

On both days officers joined forces with those from Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, East Midlands Operational Support Service (EMOpSS) and the RSPCA.

Superintendent Mark Housley said: “We have received fantastic support in these cases which has been great to see – from local farmers on the first day of action and from officers from neighbouring forces this weekend.

“Support of this nature is key to our crackdown on hare coursing and we will continue to listen to communities and deploy our resources to problem areas.

“It is vital that incidents of hare coursing are reported to us and I’d like to thank those that have done so in these days of action. If you become aware of a case, please report it to us on 101, giving as much information as you can.”

Spalding United face a long midweek trek as part of their final push for a promotion play-off place.

The Tulips will make the trip to Witton Albion on Thursday, April 6.

The fixture was washed out after an inspection at 8.30am last Saturday.

Spalding are due to take on second-placed Witton at the Sir Halley Stewart Field this Saturday in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League First Division South.

The away game against Leek Town is rearranged for Saturday, March 25, having been called off just an hour before kick-off last Tuesday night.

The home game against Basford United is switched to Tuesday, April 11.

Meanwhile, Holbeach United’s trip to Peterborough Northern Star has already been rearranged for Saturday, April 22.

The game in the ChromaSport & Trophies United Counties League’s Premier Division was postponed on Friday night.

Bourne Town’s match at Raunds Town in Division One was called off on Saturday. They will head to Kiln Park on Tuesday, April 4.

Wyberton-based G&S Racing Kawasaki have announced the addition of Sam Coventry and Ben Luxton to the team.

Coventry will team up with Tom Fisher to contest the Superstock 1000 Championship while Luxton will take part in the Superstock 600 series.

Coventry (23) said: “I’m so pleased to have signed for such a professional and experienced team as G&S Racing Kawasaki and am really looking forward to getting back on a 1000cc machine.

“Prior to me running in the British Supersport Championship I contested the Spanish championship (CEV) and feel I can bring that experience to the table this year to show everyone what I am capable of.

“The Superstock 1000 class is looking really competitive this year with some great format changes also.

“I’m really grateful to Tom and Mark Fisher at G&S Racing Kawasaki for giving me this chance on the new ZX10RR and can’t wait to get the season under way.”

Luxton (22) will also bring experience to the team as he has already secured a podium position in the Superstock 600 class and prior to that was crowned champion in the ApriliaRV450 class in 2014.

He said: “I am thrilled to be part of G&S Racing Kawasaki for 2017 and extremely excited to get the season rolling.

“I would like to thank all my sponsors for making this happen and also say a big thank you to everyone at G&S Racing Kawasaki for giving me this opportunity.”

Team manager Mark Fisher added: “I am very pleased to have secured a deal to bring Sam Coventry into our team.

“He brings with him some valuable experience of racing a 1000cc bike plus he has some good strong performances under his belt from his time in the British Supersport Championship.

“Ben Luxton approached us at the back end of last year with an interest to join our team.

“I am delighted to welcome Ben as his experience in the class will be invaluable as we return to the Superstock 600 class this year.”

Spalding’s Top Club team beat Hartlepool on Sunday at York to reach the national semi-final.

They travelled to the neutral venue with hopes of reaching the finals and were faced with tough opponents.

Most disciplines were close affairs but Spalding came out on top of all of them to reach the semi-final, back at York, on April 29.

Rink scores: ladies singles (C Tomlin) won 17-8; men’s singles (M Whyers) won 13-11; mixed pairs (R Hill & M Spencer) won 16-13; mixed triples (S Dunham, A Dunham & M Orrey) won 12-8; mixed fours (R Simpson, L Catchpole, A Caress & G Smith) won 20-12.

Spalding men’s A team lost their County League match at Boston on Saturday.

They won on three rinks to take six of the 18 match points but that wasn’t enough on the aggregate score with Boston winning 96-79.

Spalding lost at top-of-the-table Lincoln A in the Over-60s County League.

Spalding started well but the strong Lincoln side got into their stride and finished winning on all five rinks. The aggregate score was 140-57.

Lincoln A have won the Division One title for the past 16 seasons and from the 10 games played this term they have 
only dropped 12 points from a maximum available of 180.

The best performing rink was skipped by Maurice Elding ably assisted by Rob West, Jim Hammond and Martin Hawkes. Captain for the day was David Lunn.

Spalding’s mixed team lost 124-109 at Boston but won on two rinks to claim four match points. Best rink was Judy Jackson, Janet Staples, Mick Jennings and Don Churchman.

The friendly team won 107-86 at Skegness in a triples match.

The best winning rink was Trish Stafford, Maggie Wheatley and skip Rob West with a score of 30-5. Captain of the day was Trish Stafford, aided by Ian Stafford.

Spalding’s ladies team lost their Trudy Bates match against Skegness 102-77.

The best winning rink was skipped by Gloria Haney with Michelle Billingsley, Maggie Wheatley and Barbara Hurst who won 21-17.

Several junior members have contested tournaments at Grantham and Horncastle.

At Grantham, playing in the English Bowls Youth Development Scheme, Jonathan Field qualified as winner to the regional finals along with Danielle Wild who was second.

Other successes were Jamie Goodliff (fourth) and Nathan Putterel (fifth) out of 13 players.

At Horncastle, eight club members were among the last 16 of the county under-18 singles which played down to the last two in each group of eight players in a junior section and senior section.

With two members in the senior group, Spalding did not have a qualifier.

However in the junior section with five members, Wild qualified as winner of the group.

Donington’s Matilda Craven regained her under-12 indoor national title for girls compound archery to finish a great season as champion both indoor and outdoor.

The Indoor National Championship started well by scoring all ‘golds’ on her first end.

She continued with good scores and finished first with a total score of 533 out of a possible 600, 49 points ahead of her nearest rival.

Matilda was presented with her award by two of the Paralympic archers from the Rio Games.

Matilda is continuing her training with North End Archers and is enjoying being part of the Lincolnshire team as well as the East Midlands regional training squad. She is looking forward to starting the outdoor season with her first event in April.

A row over parking rights threatens to derail plans to extend a doctor’s surgery in Pinchbeck.

Plans to improve Church Walk Surgery by adding a new consulting room, reception and disabled toilets were turned down by South Holland District Council on Wednesday.

In an eight-to-six vote, district council planning committee members rejected the scheme because of the “negative impact” a lack of parking at the site would cause.

The surgery is located next to Regency Hair Salon whose owner, Kirstie Taylor, said: “From the middle of last year, the surgery started offering hospital services like scans on Wednesdays and Thursday mornings.

“But it’s unbelievable what people will do to go to the doctor’s, parking all over the road so that you can’t use the driveway outside my salon.

“The residents of Church Walk know that if a second consulting room was allowed, it would be bedlam and life down here is goint to be unbearable.

“We need a surgery in Pinchbeck but we’ll suffer because of the problems that would come with extra doctor’s appointments.”

Church Walk Surgery is run by Spalding’s Munro Medical Centre whose senior partner, Dr Graham Wheatley, said: “We are hugely disappointed for patients in Pinchbeck after the planning committee’s decision not to approve the proposed development and upgrading of the branch surgery.

“Unfortunately, discussion at the meeting was distorted by a gross misrepresentation of the status of the parking area in front of the surgery.

“As all parties to the discussion should be aware, as the relevant legal documents were made available to the council before the meeting, the practice has already purchased a legal right to park vehicles across the whole of the front of the plot where the surgery is sited.

“The planning committee’s decision is particularly unfortunate as the NHS funding we have won to develop and improve the surgery is time-limited and it is far from certain that it will still be available now approval for the project is, at best, delayed.

“We will make every effort to persuade the NHS to carry the funding forward and, if we are successful, we will certainly appeal against the planning committees decision.”

The decision to turn down plans to expand Church Walk Surgery has been blamed on Pinchbeck district councillor Sally Slade.

In her objection to the plans, Coun Slade claimed an expansion would “put extra pressure on the already overwhelmed car park which is owned by the hairdresser, not the surgery”.

Coun Slade said: “At times when the surgery is open, there is already a problem with inadequate parking and patients regularly using the narrow road to park, whilst waiting to see the doctor.

“There have been problems with cars blocking driveways and customers not being able to access the hairdresser’s.

“An extended doctor’s surgery will inevitably mean more cars when there will be less space for parking.”

But Dr Wheatley accused Coun Slade and other planning committee members who voted against the plans of putting NHS funding for it at risk.

He said: “If funding cannot be carried forward and the improvements cannot take place, this will be entirely the responsibility of Coun Slade and her seven colleagues who she persuaded to vote against this project. “Perhaps they could explain to patients in Pinchbeck exactly why they chose to deny them the improvements that could so easily have been provided to improve their care?”

Philippa Hanna - Speed of Light Tour at Spalding Baptist Church

When award-winning Christian singer-songwriter Philippa Hanna finished her encore number at Spalding Baptist Church last Thursday, seven words summed the night up.

Ben Clarke, co-organiser of the Speed of Light Tour concert in Spalding, described it as “a wonderful evening of songs and storytelling”.

Just days before she was named Best Female Artist at the Eden Awards 2017, organised by UK Christian books and music retailer Eden, Philippa charmed her audience with an access-all-areas account of her life and faith.

Interspersed with songs spanning ten years as a recording artist, Philippa and husband Joel Cana (of Sheffield band The Gentlemen) were as unconcerned about promoting her fourth full-length album, Speed of Light, as you could get.

Before the concert, South Yorkshire-based Philippa said: “We’ve been doing these types of local church concerts in tandem with the big, mainstream venues arena shows for a long time.

“It provides a place where I can meet people who are going through things and be in an environment that’s a safe place where they can meet people in a more intimate setting.

“It’s not possible to hide the real you, most times, but God doesn’t love me because I’m perfect or I behave perfectly, but because I’m His.”

Just three of the songs (the Katy Perry-like Arrow, Speed of Light itself and Perfectly) came from the album as Philippa seemed set on sending a far deeper message.

She said: “One of the main reasons why I like to tour and tell my story is because finding contentment in life has been really difficult.

“I became a Christian through meeting some people who had helped me through a very difficult time.

“You don’t just belive because someone else tells you to believe, but it was at that point when I felt as if I’d come home.

“Becoming a Christian did divide my family a little bit because whilst my mum was a believer, not a churchgoer, my dad wasn’t.

“They thought I’d been brainwashed by this passionate youth movement until they began to see the fruit in my life and it’s been an interesting process to look back on as they realised it wasn’t a phase.

“My parents started to see this good fruit grow out of my life, I was a bit more balanced and they also realised that this group of people who had come into my life had helped me see the bigger picture.

“But now I’m living a life that feels very full of purpose which I never imagined when I was struggling with mental health issues.”

The songs, from the country-influenced Off the Wagon and Lighthouse, to the autobiographical Raggedy Doll and Happy In My Skin, were secondary to Philippa’s greater mission of showing her audience that “I’m just like you”.

She said: “I thank God for the opportunity to perform alongside Little Mix because I feel like my job is mission-centred, not just to the audience but the people around us as well.

“It’s a great opportunity to show some love to the sound engineers and to be an example to others as well.

“On the stage, it doesn’t necessarily feel terrifying to be out in front of folk outside of church.

“But in some ways, there’s a battle with what guides you inside of church because the spiritual battlefield is everywhere.”

The acoustic and percussion-only concert confirmed that Philippa’s vocals sound remarkably similar to The Bangles lead singer Susanna Hoffs.

But the concert was much more memorable than that, with time too for Philippa to explain her support for Christian charity Compassion UK which invites people to sponsor children in poverty-stricken countries.

Philippa said: “A record producer in London told me I was just too ordinary for the music industry.

“I was too much of the ‘girl next door’ and ‘your face is the problem’.

“I did everything I could to change the problem but when I found faith, I was able to find this amazing, new peace and my life had a plan.

“Both myself and Joel have had personal challenges that have humbled us and we’ve become so grateful for what God has provided to keep us grounded.

“I hope that everyone who came to Spalding Baptist Church was blessed and encouraged by my story, message and songs.”

Review and interview by Winston Brown

Action Medical Research has helped bring about some astounding medical breakthroughs, many of which we now take for granted, in its various guises over 65 years.

It can list funding into what was then pioneering hip replacement surgery, the polio vaccine (and subsequent eradication in the UK of polio), the MRI scan, folic acid in pregnancy and other advances among its achievements. It is currently funding 76 projects UK-wide.

Fundraising manager for the area Lucy Hynes said: “Research for children is one of the most under-funded areas of research.”

She presented certificates to the current Spalding branch committee members, including chairman Tracy Hull, and paid tribute to the many former members among the audience.

Alan Lavender cooked for royalty on his first weekend in a new job as chef.

That was his first challenge in what turned into a 24-year career as chef at Chequers Court – the 16th century country house lived in by the UK’s prime ministers.

On Wednesday, he regaled an audience of around 150 people with his colourful memories of working for four of them, Margaret Thatcher, John Major, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.

His audience at Springfields Events Centre in Spalding had gathered for the luncheon to celebrate 50 years of fundraising by the Spalding committee of Action Medical Research, and they too had entertaining memories of their own from over the years.

As the committee’s first chairman and now county chairman Petronella Keeling said, the committee’s principle aim was to have fun while raising money for the charity.

The charity’s community fundraising manager for this area Lucy Hynes congratulated what she called the “outstanding” committee that has raised almost £600,000 over the years to save and change children’s lives, making a huge difference to families across the UK.

She said: “It’s a 50-year journey for this committee, and a 65-year journey for the charity.”

While the committee was formed early in 1967, the first fashion show in aid of the charity had been held in 1966, when Petronella was running a boutique in Hall Place in the town called Petronella’s, selling Mary Quant fashions as well as other lines.

Petronella joked: “It was a Mary Quant boutique and Lizzie Gunning was my Twiggy.”

It was Christine Sly, Petronella’s assistant, who was persuaded to run the next of the shop’s regular fashion shows to raise money for what was then called the National Fund for Polio.

Petronella said: “We used to put the shows on in this big hall in Springfields and the men would be lined up in the bar trying to get a look. They were very popular occasions. The committee emerged from that first fashion show and we very quickly did a Caribbean night party, and the rest is history. Our main events now are the Midsummer Ball, put on jointly with Macmillan, and our Christmas fair.”

It’s been an amazing few days for Alice Bates with the opening of her therapy play lodge and Tesco in Holbeach raising enough money to send her whole family to Disneyland Paris.

The lodge was bought through donations to the Free Press Ten for 10 Appeal and Alice cut a red ribbon to officially declare it open at a gathering of family and friends on Saturday.

Her mum, Charlotte, said: “I am extremely grateful and thankful to everyone that has helped me make the lodge a reality. The gift of space will allow me to ensure Alice fulfils her potential and stays as healthy as she possibly can.

“If I could have a wish granted it would be to have Alice healthy and end her pain – that will never be a possibility but this lodge really is the next best thing.”

The lodge houses the physiotherapy equipment that Alice needs to stay well.

As well as buying the lodge, Free Press readers and our young friends at local schools sent in hundreds of cards and Alice received more than 3,000 – including 1,000 given by Tesco employees across the region.

Tesco at Holbeach raised £3,650 on Friday and Saturday thanks to hard-working staff and their generous customers, which means the eight-strong Bates family can visit Disneyland together.

Charlotte said: “It will be a chance for all of us to make very special memories together and we will be forever in their debt.”

Tesco manager Steve Ross delivered a further surprise to Alice’s home, a Nintendo Wii Switch.

“Alice has declared it the best gift ever,” said Charlotte.

A scheme to build two three-bedroom homes in Spalding has been rejected over its planned height due to flood risk.

Plans for two three-bedroom homes to built in Bowditch Road, near the junction of Clay Lake and Stonegate, were branded as “horrific” and “too much in your face” by district council planning committee members on Wednesday.

But the decision was complicated by a requirement from The Environment Agency for the homes to be a minimum 1.8 metres above ground level.

A report prepared for the planning committee said: “Planning permission has already been granted for a pair of semi-detached houses which has now expired.

“However, since the last application for development (approved in April 2013) and this application, the subject of flood risk has led to an increase in required finished floor levels.

“The Environment Agency has no objections to the proposed development, but only if the finished floor levels of habitable rooms are 1.8 metres above ground level.

“As the (neighbouring) properties are terraced, two-storey (homes), this has proved challenging to present a suitable design in order for the development to go forward.”

Surrey-based architects Newland Build Services, acting for Spalding businessman Mike Yould, designed the homes with a garage on the ground floor, three bedrooms, living room, kitchen and toilet on the next two floors.

A statement from the architects said: “The town of Spalding falls within Flood Zone 3 (at a one per cent or greater risk of flooding from rivers or 0.5 per cent or greater risk of flooding from the sea).

“It is considered that without flood defences, areas in Flood Zone 3 could be affected by flooding from either the sea (one in 200 chance) or from rivers (one in 100 chance).

“With this in mind, the proposed houses have been designed with a garage at ground level and the main accommodation above, giving them a charming townhouse appearance.”

But the planning committee unanimously turned down the scheme and chairman Coun Roger Gambba-Jones said: “What the developers have reached for is a solution based on a need to address the problem of flood risk.

“They could have achieved something without the need for a stairway to heaven if they had chosen to go for a single property.

“I don’t believe it would be unachievable and it would look much better on the street scene.

“You certainly don’t need to make it so that people would think ‘what on earth were they thinking of?’

“It’s too much in your face, too much of everything.”

• Flood risk sends new ground floor soaring

Spalding Academy students took part in the nationwide campaign ‘Sock it to Eating Disorders’ on Friday.

This involves wearing bright, coloured socks and is to raise awareness of different types of eating disorders, mainly in adolescence.

Students from all six academy houses participated, bringing added colour to the school and raising money for the charity.

Head of Peake House Mrs Watt, who organised the event, said: “It was nice to see the teachers and support staff getting involved to raise awareness of something that can impact on anyone.

“The school is a community and we must work together to support one another.”

• See Thursday’s Spalding Guardian for a full page of pictures.

The Rotary Club of Spalding and Welland held its 80th charter celebration on Friday.

Some 55 members and guests attended the evening, held at the Woodlands Hotel in Spalding.

Guest speaker was David Reeve MVO, MBE, who was an officer in Norfolk Police and a Royal Sandringham House security officer.

• See Thursday’s Spalding Guardian for a full page of pictures.

Spalding Gymnastics Club members (from left) Charlotte Stevens, Carol Horton, Felicity Barwell, Lauren Borzczowskj, Jenna Brown, Eleanor Brown, Nicole Shepherd and Emma Wood were treated to a visit from a Russian coach in 1998.

The visit to the East Midlands, arranged by the Sports Council, followed an outstanding performance in the county championships in which the club came away with eight gold medals out of a possible 12.

Spalding Services C had scooped the Spalding and District Snooker League Division 1 title in 1998.

The team was made up of Den Robinson, Martin Davis, Kev Fitter, Paul Cherry, Dave Fitter, Vince Fitter and captain Nigel Cherry.

The Services side won 4-2 after a tense battle in the last game of the season against top spot rivals Deeping B. Winners were Vince Fitter, Nigel Cherry, Kevin Fitter.

Spalding men’s first team continued their promotion campaign with a hard-fought battle over Wisbech at Glen Park on Saturday.

Wisbech, who have been languishing near the foot of the table all season, put up a great fight.

Composure in the home defence meant that Wisbech were denied opportunities and they soon were pressing forward.

Stuart Cunnington struck the crossbar with his first short corner but made sure of the next in the 10th minute.

Glenn Richardson almost added to the scoreline when his effort went inches wide.

Wisbech equalised before the break when an overhead pass eluded the home defence and was slotted home.

Spalding started the second half strongly and once again Cunnington scored a trademark short corner to restore the lead.

Richardson settled the match with a neatly-taken penalty with five minutes remaining.

With four games to go, Spalding are still on the path for promotion to Premier A.

After four back-to-back wins, Spalding ladies first team shared the spoils with Alford. Evie Maltby and Charlotte Boreham got the all-important goals.

Just three games, two of which are at Glen Park, remain for the team as they set their sights on returning to Division One.