Deeping Rangers have booked their place in the Hinchingbrooke Cup final for the second time in three seasons.

They will face Peterborough Sports on Tuesday, May 2, at Yaxley.

In tonight’s semi-final, Dan Schiavi opened the scoring after 14 minutes and then doubled Deeping’s advantage with a 30-yard free-kick on the half-hour mark.

Scott Mooney’s effort was disallowed for offside following Wisbech St Mary’s first goal at the Haydon Whitham Stadium.

Scott Coupland converted a penalty six minutes into the second half, only for the visitors to reduce the deficit again, but Deeping held on.

The Clarets also face Cleethorpes Town in the Lincolnshire FA Senior Trophy final at Sincil Bank on Wednesday, April 19.

Meanwhile, Bourne Town’s final away game of the UCL Division One season ended in defeat at Raunds Town - despite taking an early lead.

EVO-STIK NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE

First Division South: Chasetown 2 AFC Rushden & Diamonds 1, Lincoln 3 Loughborough Dynamo 0, Market Drayton 3 Newcastle 2, Shaw Lane 4 Belper 1, Sheffield 1 Stocksbridge Park Steels 2, Witton 2 Carlton 0.

CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE

Division One: Raunds 3 Bourne 1.

Reserve Division: Newport Pagnell 1 Irchester 3.

HINCHINGBROOKE CUP

Semi-final: Deeping 3 Wisbech St Mary 2 (Deeping to play Peterborough Sports at Yaxley on May 2).

TAYLORS SERVICE GARAGES BOSTON LEAGUE

Main Ridge Take Away Reserve Cup final: Fishtoft 0 Swineshead 2 (at Boston Town).

Flood protection conditions will turn a site at Clay Lake, Spalding, into “flying caravan park” with homes mounted on 1.8 metre high concrete plinths.

The Environment Agency (EA) insisted on the step as Hawthorns Caravan Park switches from a transit site for gypsies to a mobile home park with 12 spaces for gypsy and non-gypsy residents.

Plans for the change of use, submitted by Mr and Mrs James Welch, were unanimously approved by the planning committee, although some members felt the site would look “bizarre” with homes standing so high up.

Committee chairman Coun Roger Gambba-Jones said: “I suppose it will be a flying caravan park, won’t it?

“It will look bizarre to have static homes 1.8 metres above the ground and access, I assume, by a wooden staircase.”

But committee member Coun Rodney Grocock said there are already park homes 5ft-6ft above the ground at Skegness and they have uPVC skirts around the concrete blocks “so it looks normal”.

After the meeting, Mr Welch told us: “I thought it was a little bit of overkill on their (EA) side, very over cautious, but I was happy to accept it because it is doable and no argument, really, with the EA. If that’s their guidelines, that’s their guidelines.”

He bought the site from his late uncle, Gordon Boswell, about 10 years ago and says there have been caravans there for around 27 or 28 years and there’s never been any flooding. Mr Welch said he knows of homes built on Clay Lake in the last couple of years that had to be raised up, but nothing like 1.8 metres.

• In February, a new build on the corner of Halmer Gate and Cley Hall Drive was given planning consent with a 1.8 metre high ground floor.

A Pinchbeck-based antiques dealer and a Moulton auctioneer are teaming up to hold a charity auction in Spalding for seaside lifesavers.

Justin Grimshaw, of Pendragon Antiques at Spalding Lifestyle Centre, and Michelle White, whose M and A Auctions business runs regular events in Gedney, have planned the auction in Market Place for this Saturday at 11am.

The pair are raising money for Skegness RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) Lifeboats and Lifeguards which has served the Lincolnshire coastline since 1839.

Justin said: The Spalding Market Traders Association wanted us to do an auction after we raised over £700 for the special care baby unit at Boston’s Pilgrim Hospital from an auction we had last year.

“South Holland District Council gave us permission and the aim this time is to support Skegness RNLI which has just received a new lifeboat.

“I was quite honoured to be asked to do the auction and the money we raise on Saturday will be used to furnish the lifeboat.”

Skegness RNLI has two lifeboats and a fleet of relief vessels which its crew of volunteers lifeguards use to patrol an area of coastline from the Humber to the Wash.

Justin said: “We’re looking for donations that can be sold on the day and they can be from anyone, as long as they are in good order.

“It might be something that people have grown tired or are willing to donate to us to be auctioned off.

“But items must be in a good enough condition for auction and they should be brought to Spalding town centre between 7am and 10am in time for the auction at 11am.”

A spokesman for the RNLI said: “As a charity which depends on fundraising and voluntary donations, we are very grateful for the support of Justin and Michele in organising an auction of this kind.

“The RNLI has six lifeboat stations on the Lincolnshire and north Norfolk coast, while our lifeguards patrol the busiest beaches during the peak season.

“Without the generosity of supporters like Justin, Michelle and everyone buying lots at the auction, our lifeguards would simply would not be able to carry out their lifesaving work.”

Mick Abbott, Skegness RNLI Station Chairman, said: “The volunteer crew have already shown a huge amount of dedication, spending time away from their families and in some cases taking holiday from work in order to fulfil the training requirements that come with a new all-weather lifeboat.

“Their commitment and hard work mean the transition to this new lifeboat will be as smooth as possible.”

An action-packed final saw four red cards and a sudden-death penalty shoot-out.

Tydd St Mary retained the Spalding Inter-Services Trophy as Joshua Slator slotted home from the spot.

This was always going to be a tasty derby – but both teams finished the game with just nine men and Long Sutton Athletic also had their assistant-manager sent off.

Division Two side Tydd St Mary were the underdogs but they started brightly.

Three free-kicks from Paul Newcombe were dealt with by Sutton and the Magpies then came into the game with a good spell of pressure.

The first flashpoint of the match came on 20 minutes. Long Sutton were defending a set-piece when Tydd’s Karl Smith went for a loose ball in the penalty box with a strong challenge on goalkeeper Carl Taylor.

Taylor reacted badly, hit Smith with a punch and was duly dismissed by referee Simon Bell. Smith was also cautioned for the tackle.

The Saints should have taken advantage of the extra man but the Magpies created good chances.

The next flashpoint came with just two minutes left of the first half when Smith was deemed to have unfairly body-checked Matt Oliver and was given his second yellow card.

Some good saves at both ends and solid defending saw the stalemate extend into extra-time.

With 275 fans inside Carter’s Park, Sutton took the lead within two minutes of the re-start when skipper Billy Oliver gave David Cooper no chance.

The next flashpoint came in the 10th minute of extra-time when a strong challenge by Newcombe on Matt Cawthorn saw him receive a straight red. Cawthorn retaliated and was dismissed.

Long Sutton assistant-boss Kevin Rumsey was sent to the stands for verbally abusing the referee.

The second period of extra-time saw Sutton trying to extend their lead.

But the Saints levelled with three minutes remaining when Daniel Piccaver’s flick-on was collected by Tim Lowe who rounded the keeper to slam in.

The lottery of the penalty shoot-out was won by Tydd St Mary 7-6 and their man of the match Slator scored the decisive kick.

Eight penalties were taken by each team and Cooper saved two as the Saints retained the trophy with their second penalty shoot-out in successive years.

Tydd joint manager Dan Monaghan said: “This win shows everyone just how far we have come as club over these past five or six years.

“We have built, and continue to keep building, a good squad and are looking to keep moving forward in the right direction.”

Joint boss Carl Wilson added: “A great credit goes to these lads. They were, to a man, brilliant.

“I would like to mention one other person at the club who often goes unseen in the background.

“Paul Clarke, who is the first-team coach, has been invaluable to us these past two years and we couldn’t have done a lot of this without him.

“Also, the support for us was tremendous. Thanks to everyone that made the effort. It was much appreciated.”

The Saints now move on to the small task of getting promoted into Division One.

Cawthorn said: “We are highly disappointed with the result as we thought that we deserved more.

“However, it wasn’t our best performance by a long shot.

“We expected Tydd to come out all guns blazing but we dealt with everything they threw at us comfortably.

“Losing on penalties was cruel but that’s the makings of a final.

“The neutrals love the underdogs and a final to be decided on penalties.

“With four red cards and numerous bookings, I think that was a little drastic considering it wasn’t a bad tempered game.

“Credit to Tydd and we appreciate all the supporters turning out.”

Pinchbeck United couldn’t find top form – but they still moved closer to top spot.

They are one point behind leaders Peterborough Sports Reserves who suffered only their second defeat so far this season.

The title rivals meet next Tuesday in the Premier Division.

Ollie Maltby (2), Tom Brooks, Liam Ogden and an own-goal secured Saturday’s 5-2 home victory over AFC Stanground Sports.

Assistant manager Allan Ross said: “They came to try to cancel us out as much as they could.

“That worked to a degree because the pitch was very dry and we struggled to play the type of football like we have done in recent months.

“Our average is three goals per game so we were pleased to keep that ratio.

“Four players were out and we experimented with the formation as well.

“They made it difficult for us in a scrappy affair. It was very frustrating to watch but the result was never in doubt after we went 2-0 up.

“We created chances and could have hit double figures.

“To be honest, I wasn’t that surprised to see Sports lost 2-1 at Leverington because teams don’t give up in our league.

“I still think there will be twists and turns.

“The treble is looking more likely than it was a week ago. We have to keep our focus and make it realistic.

“We’ve really enjoyed the season so far with two cup finals to come at the end of the league campaign.

“All our lads are committed, we work to a structure and we are getting our rewards at the moment.”

A woman has been taken to hospital after she was hit by a car in Spalding today.

The accident happened when a woman was in collision with a black Smart car in Sheep Market, reported to police at 11.15am.

A Lincolnshire Police spokesman confirmed that the woman was taken to Peterborough City Hospital with injuries described as being “minor”.

WEDNESDAY 11.15AM: Woman and car in collision in Spalding

A woman has been involved in a collision with a car near a Spalding car park this morning.

It happened in Sheep Market where a woman, thought to be in her 60s, was trying to cross the road when a car hit her at about 11am.

Members of the public were at scene quickly to give the woman first aid and direct traffic travelling into Sheep Market from The Crescent.

The A17 at Fosdyke was closed for around 45 minutes today (Wednesday) after a trailer carrying cattle overturned.

Police say there were no injuries to the driver and passenger of the Isuzu Trooper towing vehicle or the five cows inside the trailer.

The accident happened at 11.27am and the road reopened at 12.15pm.

A police spokesman said the animals were transferred to another trailer.

Three men remain in custody this afternoon following a 25 mile police chase through West Norfolk last night.

Police were alerted at around 6.30pm on Tuesday to reports of an attempted theft of a water bowser from premises in Cliff Parade, Hunstanton.

The incident was seen by a member of the public, who gave officers the registration details of a red van the group were using.

The van was stopped nearby, where one of the trio was arrested.

However, the other two drove off and were chased by police all the way to Sutton Bridge, where they were finally stopped.

A man in his 20s was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving.

Two other men, one in his 20s and another in his late teens, were detained on suspicion of theft.

All three remain in custody.

A Long Sutton lorry driver who was ‘distracted’ when he caused a young motorist’s death got the sentence he deserved, senior judges have ruled.

Rafal Czarniewski (31), of Bridge Road, was convicted of causing the death of Marcin Zaleski by dangerous driving.

He was jailed for three and a half years at Oxford Crown Court on November 11 last year and banned from driving for four years.

The fatal crash took place on the A420 at Faringdon on January 8 2015, London’s Appeal Court heard today.

Czarniewski was driving a large articulated lorry, while Mr Zaleski was behind the wheel of a Ford transit van travelling in the opposite direction.

The lorry ploughed into the van on the ‘wrong side of the road’, Sir John Saunders told the court.

It had been trying to avoid a stationary BMW which had stopped as the driver was waiting to turn right.

Czarniewski did not see the BMW in time ‘because he was not paying attention and was distracted from his proper concentration on the road ahead’.

The judge described Mr Zaleski as a ‘young man who was in this country to try and make a successful life for himself’.

Czarniewski had been working as an HGV driver in the UK for some years, had a clean licence and no convictions of any sort.

He was ‘remorseful’ for the ‘sad consequences of his lack of attention’, said Sir John,

His lawyers argued that both his jail term and driving disqualification were far too tough and ought to be cut.

His ‘period of inattention must have been for no more than four seconds’, the court was told, and the long driving ban would affect his employment prospects.

But Sir John, sitting with Lord Justice Hamblen and Judge Nicholas Cooke QC, said it was ‘impossible to say’ Czarniewski’s jail term was too long.

“We do not consider the length of the disqualification in all the circumstances of this case was manifestly excessive,” he added.

“It was a very bad piece of driving, driving a very heavy lorry, which had very serious consequences and in all the circumstances the appeal is dismissed.”

Spalding Rotarians join forces with The Stroke Association on Saturday to give residents a potentially life-saving, free blood pressure check.

Pop along to The South Holland Centre between 10am-3pm and a health professional will give you the painless test.

High blood pressure is linked to stroke and people can have the condition without being aware of it.

Steve Colby, from the Rotary Club of South Holland, said: “In Spalding last year, we tested 155 people in total – 17 were advised for routine follow-up and two for urgent follow-up.

“District wide, 1,251 tests were taken – 326 people were advised to get a routine follow-up with their GP and 56 were told to urgently see their GP within a week and two were admitted to hospital immediately.”

Experts say 40 per cent of strokes could be prevented if people took steps to combat high blood pressure.

Spalding under-11s won four out of five at the annual Kingswood festival.

The festival is held at Holt, Norfolk, over two weekends with a total of 175 teams representing 30 clubs from around the country.

It is estimated that more than 2,000 children aged between six and 12 played over the two weekends.

Spalding were selected in pool one against two teams from Norfolk, two teams from Essex and one from Nottinghamshire.

The first match was against a very strong and well-drilled team from West Bridgford.

Both teams displayed great defensive skills, although it was clear West Bridgford were determined to not see a repeat of the previous meeting at the Leicester Tigers Land Rover Cup earlier in the season, where Spalding pushed them to win by one try.

Their determination proved too much for the Spalding boys this time, using great handling skills and moving the ball wide to the speedy wingers to score two tries.

Not deterred by the defeat, the boys had a two-game break to prepare for their next match.

Their enthusiasm was lifted by inspirational support and advice from Spalding senior coach George Reid.

The second match of the day was against Maldon.

The team appeared to play with much greater pace and supportive team work, using strong drives down the centre of the pitch, together with linked passes moving the ball out wide. The final score was a Spalding win, two tries to one.

With heads now held high, the team displayed strong rucking and support in the breakdown and were constantly putting pressure on the side from Westcliff.

Through great teamwork, they finished this match with a 4-1 win.

The host team were next for the penultimate match, as expected it was a very fast and aggressive match.

The buoyant Spalding boys were not prepared to lose and after a quick try against the hosts, they knew that a win was within their reach. They increased the pressure against the side that had beaten them earlier in the season.

Holt started to lose their cool against the Spalding lads who continued to provide a great display for the large crowd.

With a massive team effort, the match ended as a 3-1 win for Spalding.

It was clear that the boys were now unstoppable, going into their final match against Norwich Crusaders.

The team were playing skilful rugby well above their age grade.

The Norwich side were not given much opportunity to attack with pressure being applied. The match ended with Spalding winning 8-0.

The team are now looking forward to the end of season awards and the final festival of the season at Stamford on April 30 before a well-earned break over the summer.

Training will start again on the first Sunday in September. New members will always be made welcome – further details can be found on the club’s website spaldingrfc.co.uk

Team: Thomas Stevenson, Oscar Shields, Harry Reid, Ned West, Kane Fisher, James Holland, Ethan West, Alfie Hoyles, Alex Whelan, Lewis Doughty, Harry Biehler-Birch.

Having clinched promotion to the East Premier A League for next season, Spalding men’s first team were hoping for a stroll in their final game against West Herts 2nd.

But they met up with a mid-table team that had been boosted by some of the club’s National League players.

Connor Allen and Stuart Cunnington found the net for Spalding in a closely-contested first half but they found themselves trailing 3-2 at the break.

Deciding that they wanted to finish the season on a high, the lads set about their hosts with a scintillating second-half display by adding five

further goals without reply.

Glenn Richardson, Tom Everton, Rob Dalton, Josh Rowbottom and a second from Allen completed the rout as Spalding ended their successful league season on a high note.

The lads meet Bourne Deeping, who have just been promoted to East Premier B, in the Lincolnshire Cup final at Glen Park on Sunday afternoon.

RESULTS

Men’s Premier B: Waltham Forest 1 Felixstowe 1, West Herts 2nd 3 Spalding 7.

Men’s Division One: Upminster 6 Cambridge City 3rd 3, Long Sutton 4 Blueharts 2nd 3.

Men’s Division Three NW: Bourne Deeping 2nd 3 Spalding 2nd 4, Long Sutton 2nd 0 Horncastle 8.

Men’s Division Five NW: CoP 8th 0 Bourne Deeping 4th 8.

Women’s Division Two NW: Newmarket 3 Long Sutton 1.

Women’s Division Three NW: Spalding 2nd 0 St Ives 2nd 5, Wisbech Town 3rd 0 Haverhill 11, Huntingdon 4 Newmarket 2nd 0.

Women’s Division Four NW (N): Long Sutton 2nd 0 Louth 2nd 1, Spalding 3rd 1 Alford & District 2nd 0.

FIXTURE

Women’s Division Four NW (N): Leadenham v Long Sutton 2nd.

A pair of musical maestros from Pinchbeck have put themselves at opposite ends of another artform.

Popular tenor Jeff Woods, alias Pavanotti, is the subject of a new portrait by world-famous drummer Gilson Lavis which he presented to the tenor in front of fans at Spalding Lifestyle Centre on Sunday.

Gilson said: “I met Jeff when I was signing books and portraits at the centre and we just got to know each other as friends.

“I suggested it would be a nice idea to do a portrait as it’s a great way of supporting local talent that deserves to be know throughout the world.

“I enjoyed doing it but it was a bit of a challenge as portraits of people like Jeff are new territory for me.”

Jeff said: “I don’t like looking at myself but when Gilson’s portrait came through it me, I thought it perfectly captured me in entertainment mode.

“I’m delighted and chuffed to bits with the portrait done by Gilson Lavis who is one of the best drummers in the world.”

Tributes have been paid to one of South Holland’s great ambassadors, Rosemary Biggadike, who has died at the age of 84.

Rosemary is fondly remembered for her outstanding public service and devoted support to husband Alan when he was council chairman from 2003-2005.

They were a perfect double act, whether attending the grandest of official events with fellow civic leaders or meeting children taking part in maypole dancing, when they happily joined in with the youngsters’ fun.

Rosemary was a district councillor herself for 12 years, served as a parish councillor, gave many years’ dedicated service to Conservative Party association branches and clubs, and was known for her many good works in her adopted home, Whaplode.

South Holland and the Deepings MP John Hayes, a friend for more than 20 years, said: “Rosemary’s public service was almost legendary, really.

“She and Alan had been involved in the life of South Holland – and Whaplode in particular – for so long they were very much defined by the public service they gave.”

South Holland District Council leader Coun Gary Porter said of the couple: “They were a proper double act and the perfect ambassadors for what we do.

“Rosemary was one of the members of the council from years ago and was almost rooted in South Holland but, more importantly, from my point of view she was a really nice lady. Obviously she is going to be sadly missed.”

Retired bulb grower Alan passed away aged 79 in May, 2009.

Rosemary continued with her work for the Conservative association and was involved in helping the party in both the general election and district council elections in 2015, attending the count and declaration of results at Springfields.

Her health began to fail in July of last year and she died in Holbeach Hospital nursing home on March 23.

Rosemary was born in Frimley Green, Surrey, and was training to be a nanny at a nursery in Woking while Alan did national service.

Daughter Elaine Gregory said Alan was at a fairground shooting stall when they first met and they met again at a dance that night.

“Mum came to Whaplode for dad’s 21st birthday,” said Elaine. “That’s when she met the family, liked the area and looked for a job around here.”

Rosemary worked as a nanny for a Mr and Mrs Hillman White in Spalding before her marriage in 1953.

Aside from politics, Rosemary took a keen interest in the local town twinning organisations, was a founder member of Whaplode WI and was a governor at schools including Whaplode Primary, the former George Farmer at Holbeach and Spalding High.

Besides Elaine, Rosemary leaves family including daughters Julie and Alison, three sons-in-law, seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Elaine says her mum was always immensely proud of her family – and the family thought the world of her.

She said: “She was very family orientated and loved the family occasions.”

Her mum was also characterised by her great sense of fun.

• The funeral service takes place at St Mary’s Church, Whaplode, at 12.30pm on Thursday, April 13. Mr Hayes will be among those paying tribute to Rosemary.

Work on a “grand plan” to provide new allotments, housing and burial spaces for Crowland is progressing well.

But at Monday’s parish council meeting, members shared their desire to “pick things up” with the development in James Road and aim to have it ready for existing allotment holders in September.

The development on land each side of James Road, which also includes up to 45 new homes, a cemetery and woodland burial plots, was given planning permission by South Holland District Council in February 2016.

Coun Bryan Alcock, parish and district councillor for Crowland, said: “The development is a result of the parish council looking at whatever assets it has and seeing whether it can derive a long-term revenue stream from it.

“It’s progressing well, however, it’s a little bit behind schedule.

“Under the Allotments Act 1950, the parish council has to abide by some statutory notices and one of them is about giving present tenants notice which expires in September.

“But the council is in dialogue with representatives for the allotment holders and whilst September is a target date, there’s always the opportunity of having a voluntary extension with the agreement of the two parties.”

When completed, allotment holders will move from their present base between James Road and Thorney Road to the new site in an area off James Road, Crowland Road and the A16.

A statement about the development drawn up on behalf of the parish council before planning permission was given said: “A replacement allotment area will enable more plots to be provided as the plots on the current site have traditionally been subdivided to cater for demand.

“The new plots will also have accompanying facilities for the gardeners, including toilets and storage facilities, which they do not have at present.”

Coun Alcock said: “When the parish council floated the idea of a grand plan to move the allotments, one of the things we wanted to assure the allotment holders of was that there would be better facilities to store their equipment.”

A young woman died from head injuries when her car plunged into a drain beside the B1359 at Gedney and landed on its roof.

The road was shrouded in fog when Alexandra Leigh Hills (21) – known to friends as Alex – lost control of the vehicle on a bend, an inquest heard yesterday (Wednesday).

One man said visibility was down to one-and-a-half car lengths on the morning of the accident, October 31 last year.

Alexandra, the only child of Alan and Linda, had spent a weekend with her family and boyfriend in Dawsmere and set off just after 7.30am to drive to Lincoln’s Bishop Grosseteste University to attend a lecture.

Passing drivers tried to help after home carer Karen Warner spotted “something blue down the ditch” about an hour later.

In a statement read out at the inquest, Ms Warner said: “Something in the back of my mind made me think I should go back and take another look.”

It was Alexandra’s Ford KA.

Ms Warner phoned emergency services and two men who stopped their vehicles went to the car, but realised it was too late to help Alexandra.

They found her with her head below the water and were unable to open a car door to reach her.

Ian Brown, one of the men, said in a statement: “There was no sign of life.”

The second man, James Jackson, said in his statement it was really foggy and estimated visibility was low as a car-and-a-half’s length.

Alexandra was certified dead at the scene by an ambulance paramedic.

Dr Murray Spittal, one of the coroners for South Lincolnshire, said the post mortem examination showed Alexandra died from head injuries – and not drowning – and came to the formal conclusion that she had died as a result of a road collision.

He said, because Alexandra didn’t drown, it was unlikely she had regained consciousness.

Dr Spittal said the accident was unwitnessed and the precise details of what happened will never be known.

Earlier Dr Spittal read a statement from Alexandra’s mum, who learned about the tragedy at around 10am on the day of the accident.

Mrs Hills said she and her husband were devastated by Alexandra’s death and their lives were changed forever.

The statement continued: “As we both said, she would have made a brilliant teacher. Our life will never be the same.”

On the day Alexandra set off, Mrs Hills said she “went outside to give her a hug and to tell her to drive carefully” and added “that was the last time I saw her alive”.

A police vehicle examiner said there were no defects with Alexandra’s car that could have contributed to the accident.

Police forensic accident investigator PC Michelle Ford examined the accident scene, including tyre marks left on the road, and said Alexandra’s car had swerved from side-to-side, or fishtailed, before going into the drain with the front offside edge leading the way.

Alexandra’s family said there had been a fence at the point where Alexandra’s car left the road but it had been removed – and pointed out it had been useful, previously, for drivers to get their bearings as they negotiated the bend.

PC Ford said the fence would not have been an effective barrier to stop a vehicle entering the drain.

She said if the fence had been there, the fog would have prevented Alexandra from seeing it early enough to get her bearings.

PC Ford said: “One the day, because of the weather conditions, I don’t think it would have helped her.”

The officer said there were no advance warning signs to indicate the bend but the county council will be making highway safety improvements on the road where the accident happened, which is known locally as either Hallgate or Kingsgate.

The inquest heard the accident happened only 4.9 miles from the family’s home, a distance that could be travelled in seven-and-a-half minutes under normal conditions.

Alexandra was a former pupil of Long Sutton’s Peele Community College and she had worked part-time at the Co-op in Sutton Bridge.

A “band of brothers” from Whaplode are quietly celebrating their third Green Beret in the family after the demands of Royal Marines training.

George Fowler (18), followed elder brothers Sam (29) and Jack (20) in successfully coming through a 32-week test of his physical and mental abilities on a Royal Marines’ Commando training course in Devon.

The training included camouflage and concealment skills, weapons handling and marksmanship, map reading, close-quarter fighting and four commando tests over just four days.

George said: “The 32 weeks of training was designed to condition you to complete the commando test which started with a six-mile endurance and a shooting test.

“Then I did a nine-mile speed march in 90 minutes, carrying 21lbs of equipment and a rifle, followed by a Tarzan assault course with high wires, ropes and finishing on top of a 30-feet wall.

“The final test was a 30-mile march across Dartmoor which you had to do in less than eight hours.

“On completion, I was presented with my Green Beret in the field which was quite a satisfying feeling after 32 weeks of training.”

George is due to join 43 Commando Fleet Protection Unit in Scotland, the same unit as Sam, after he completes a driving course.

That came after George passed out as a Royal Marine at a ceremony in Devon on Friday, with the family preparing for a fourth trip to the south coast in the near future.

Youngest brother Joe Fowler (17) has already signed up for the Royal Marines and his current job as a personal trainer, based in Spalding, is getting him ready for the tough tests to come.

Joe said: “My brothers tell me that the Royal Marines is like one big family and every time I’ve been to their passing out parades, it’s motivated me to make sure that they come down to mine.”

Jack, who passed out in June 2015, said: “Myself and George were always going to join the military, but we’d never heard of the Royal Marines until Sam went in and then told us that they were the best of the best.”

Sam, who passed out in November 2012, said: “The reputation of the Royal Marines speaks for itself and, generally, people know what you’ve done and gone through to get your Green Beret.”

Two away wins in less than 48 hours could send Spalding United into the promotion play-offs.

They face second-placed Witton Albion this evening and then head to Kidsgrove Athletic for another road trip on Saturday.

The Tulips can get closer to booking a top-five finish and third spot would mean a home semi-final.

Boss Chris Rawlinson said: “We’ve had plenty of positive conversations with the squad over the past few days.

“It can feel a bit raw after a defeat but we have to make sure we are up for tonight’s game.

“Midweek defeats for AFC Rushden & Diamonds and Newcastle Town mean there are several clubs grouped together who will probably fight it out among themselves now.

“But we are not going to be complacent. We need to do our own job.

“On Tuesday, Witton made four changes and there must be tiredness in the legs from playing every Saturday and midweek.

“It’s a brilliant chance for them to go back on top of the table tonight.

“What a great chance for us to stop them, though! And we know we are capable.

“We are third in the league so we can go toe-to-toe with Witton and make it a real battle.

“We need to stay solid at the back. But we want to impose ourselves as well. We’re not going up there to keep the score down!

“In the first half of the home game against Witton, we showed a bit too much respect as we were worried about their threats.

“In the second half, we went toe-to-toe with enough pressure to get a goal – even though we didn’t create a huge amount of chances.

“We can’t expect everyone to keep going with two away games in less than 48 hours so there might be some rotation.

“But I won’t make wholesale changes at such a very important stage of the season.

“There is a lot at stake and, if we win both games in this period, we will be nearly there in terms of a play-off place.

“The focus remains on making sure we get one of those places.”

Nathan Whitehead is not available for the next two games.

Sam Downey and Jonny Lockie are back in the squad tonight after missing out last weekend at Stocksbridge Park Steels.

Kern Miller starts a three-match ban on Saturday after his red card in the 2-0 defeat but Neal Spafford or Jason Field are ready to deputise.

Nathan Stainfield believes third place – and a play-off semi-final at home – would be “a fantastic achievement” for Spalding United.

The Tulips have six games to go in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League First Division South’s regular campaign as they look to keep alive those dreams of promotion.

They face trips to Witton Albion tonight and Kidsgrove Athletic on Saturday before three home games in the final four fixtures.

Tulips skipper Stainfield said: “From my point of view, this season is the hardest I’ve ever known in this league.

“There are a lot of good teams and you never look at the fixture list expecting to collect three points because every side has got something about them.

“We have been in the top three from the start so it will be a fantastic achievement to stay up there until the end of the season.

“It has taken a lot of effort mentally and physically to get this far.

“We had a terrible time in November when we lost a few games. It was a strange period when we could have buried our heads in the sand and felt sorry for ourselves.

“Then we had the change of management but nobody can blame Dave Frecklington for going to a higher level and a bigger club.

“Chris Rawlinson has kept stability and done a good job since he took charge.

“Most of the squad have played enough seasons in non-League football to know the commitment needed.

“So there are no excuses about playing away tonight and Saturday.

“We know what we’ve got to do. Every game is tough and we just have to keep going.

“We’ll see what happens around us too because all of our rivals play each other.

“The fixture list makes it look tasty until the end of the season.

“There are a lot of games coming up in just a couple of weeks.

“Hopefully we can put in a good performance at Witton tonight regardess of what happens in terms of the final score.

“They have got everything to lose because they are going for the league title.

“This is a massive game for them as it’s the first time since the opening weeks of the season when they could be on top of the table.

“It was a bit strange when we lost at home to Witton but they are a strong, physical side who look solid all over the pitch. You can see why they are challenging for top spot.”

Spalding are looking to hit back immediately from last weekend’s 2-0 away defeat to Stocksbridge Park Steels.

Stainfield added: “It was just one of those days.

“We did so well winning 4-0 at Leek Town the previous Saturday but, unfortunately, we had a bad day this time.

“You have to accept that these things happen and just move on quickly.

“We can only look after our own business.

“We looked tired but I must give credit to Stocksbridge Park Steels as well.

“They have got some good individuals in the team and they deserved to win. Fair play to them.

“They had nothing to lose so they played with a lot of freedom.”

Spalding businessman Andy Molsom made a solid start with two second places at a very wet Oulton Park for the first race meeting of the year.

He qualified third in class for both of the day’s races.

Molsom’s class – the Super-Graduates – started among the faster cars from the Mega-Graduates class which meant starting ninth on the road.

Just before the first race, the rain started again and didn’t relent. A good start in poor conditions, with spray from the cars in front making visibility difficult, Molsom set about looking for a way past Barry White in second place.

Despite his best efforts, it wasn’t until lap eight that Molsom overtook White in the braking area of Lodge corner.

Immediately Molsom was over one-and-a-half seconds a lap quicker and soon caught the class leader Toby Briant at the end of the penultimate lap of the race.

Unfortunately, Molsom couldn’t make his way past Briant so had to settle for second place.

The second race of the day, shortened to eight laps due to incidents in earlier races, was still wet but visibility was better.

Molsom made a great start to slot straight into second place in class.

A little first-lap contact with another car going into the Brittens chicane hindered Molsom’s progress and with two Mega-Graduate class cars between himself and Briant, there was no improving on second place again.

Molsom said: “It’s a solid start to the season with two second places.

“It was great to be back on the racetrack again after a long winter.”

The Caterham Graduates Racing Club Championship runs over eight weekends with a European summer round at Zandvoort in Holland.

They are visiting Cadwell Park in May plus Donington Park, Croft, Snetterton and Silverstone through until 
October.

Molsom added: “The car handled well in the wet onditions and is a credit to the preparation by Rockey Racing.

“The conditions were atrocious, with varying levels of grip through the corners. The spray in the first race meant that you couldn’t really see the car in front.”

Molsom leaves Oulton Park in second place in the championship with 13 rounds to go.

The next meeting is at Pembrey in South Wales on the weekend of April 22 and 23.