Grace Mullins and Alex Hampson stole the show again as Nene Valley Harriers continued their fantastic form on the cross country scene.

Mullins produced another stunning performance in the final North Midlands League race at Wollaton Park in Nottingham, as she emerged as overall champion in the ladies’ under-20 age group.

Bourne ace Hampson, meanwhile, roared to victory in the boys’ under-17 race at the Lincolnshire Schools Championships at Caythorpe College.

Mullins saved her best until last in the North Midlands League, finishing a super second in the senior ladies’ race.

That made here the first under-2o runner home for the third time out of four races – which comfortably gave her the age group crown.

Fellow Harrier Emma Penniston, in her first full season for the club, made it a one-two overall in the under-20 section by taking the silver medal.

Nene Valley were defending the overall senior ladies’ title, but had to settle for second place this time around.

Ruth Jones was second senior lady overall and the rest of the team were Cat Foley, Nicky Morgan and Charlotte Harris.

The senior men finished fourth overall and they were led home by Michael Moore in 16th place. He placed second overall in the over-40 age group.

Elsewhere, the younger age groups suffered a bit from a clash with the Lincolnshire Schools meeting but the Under-13 boys were still second overall. They were represented by Ollie Oakley (17th), Jonathon Friend (25th) and Elliot Bellamy (27th).

• Two Nene Valley members were involved in the Southern Indoors event down at Lee Valley.

Darllion Holding and Georgie Ivens both entered the 400m event, with the latter clocking a personal best time of 57.68secs. Holding finished his event in a rapid 50.9secs.

Seventy-two pupils at Gosberton Clough and Risegate Primary School raised a whopping £777 with a sponsored skip.

It was part of The British Heart Foundation’s “Jump Rope” event, which means £621.69 goes to the charity and the remaining 20 per cent funds items the school needs.

BHF fundraising manager Helena Mair said: “I think it’s an absolutely amazing amount and all of the children have worked really hard.”

Our picture shows, back – Fionn Rowley, Olivia Kember, Lilly Sansam, Jasmine Deakin, Sophie Wilson, Harry Burton, teacher Carrie Verrall and Helena Mair; front – Leanne Turner and Jay White. SG170114-125TW

Holidaymakers in the area can get a helping hand to book their dream break on Sunday.

The Bourne and Market Deeping branches of Anglia Co-operative Travel are co-hosting a holiday roadshow at Bourne Corn Exchange from 11am to 3pm.

Fifteen major tour operators are supporting the event – providing ideas for holidays, cruises and tailor-made breaks.

There will be special offers and discounts for bookings made in conjunction with the roadshow, tea and coffee will be served and there will be a free prize draw.

Donations for tea and coffee will go to Help for Heroes.

Assistant manager Kim Anderson said: “With so many major tour operators under one roof, visitors will be able to get information on all sorts of holidays.”

A woman from Spalding is selling a special range of jewellery to raise money for a national domestic violence charity.

Dawn Hook, of Candy Voss Jewellery, was featured in our sister paper, the Spalding Guardian, on January 9.

She is raising money for Women’s Aid by donating half the sale proceeds to Charlie’s Big Challenge, a 250-mile, seven-day run by TV sports presenter Charlie Webster.

For more details, visit www.candyvossjewellery.co.uk

Gavin Miller previews three films due out on Friday

JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT (12A)

After a decade-long hiatus Star Trek’s Chris Pine brings Tom Clancy’s legendary character – most famously played by Harrison Ford – back to life. The film chronicles a young Ryan’s fledgling CIA career, as a covert analyst who uncovers a Russian plot to crash the US economy with a terrorist attack in this thriller which co-stars Keira Knightley, Kevin Costner and Kenneth Branagh (who also directs).

GRUDGE MATCH (12A)

If you’ve always wanted to see Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky Balboa face off against Robert De Niro’s Jake La Motta well now you can (well kind of).

They star as a pair of ageing boxers who are coaxed out of retirement for one final bout – 30 years after their last match. This dramady co-stars fellow screen veteran Kim Basinger and American comedy sensation Kevin Hart.

AUGUST – OSAGE COUNTY (15)

Meryl Streep has picked up her obligatory Best Actress Oscar nomination (even though she’s a long shot) in this darkly comedic tale about a dysfunctional family in America’s Midwest. Julia Roberts has also picked up a Best Supporting Actress nom, alongside an all-star cast, which also boasts Ewan McGregor, Chris Cooper and Benedict Cumberbatch.

Police are hunting vandals who smashed the window of a house in Market Deeping and then damaged a vehicle parked on a green.

It happened in Godsey Crescent between 7.30pm last Thursday and noon on Friday.

Anyone with information should call 101, stating incident 163 of January 17.

Police are looking for witnesses who saw a white Iveco van in Morton Fen on Tuesday when a number of gas cylinders were stolen.

It took place shortly before noon and the van’s registration number is Y543 DDC.

Anyone with information should call police on 101, stating incident 126 of January 14.

A lawnmower and tools, including chainsaws and drills, have been stolen from a shed outside a house in Pointon.

Police believe thieves used a van parked in nearby Pinfold Close to drive away with the goods from outside a house in West Road between midnight and 10am.

Most of the tools were given to the owner by their late father and anyone with information should call 101, stating incident 204 of January 19.

South Holland and the Deepings MP John Hayes writes for spaldingtoday.co.uk

As I said in my column last week, classic situation comedies have much to tell us about our society and the way it has changed.

Take the Likely Lads, another gem from the golden age of television. In the first series, made in the 1960s, the two central characters, Bob and Terry, were young working class men employed together in a factory.

But when the series was revived ten years later everything had changed. Bob had moved up the class ladder, acquiring an office job and a new executive home in the suburbs.

The journey Bob made from blue to white collar, from council house to home ownership was familiar for those, like me, who came of age in the first few decades after the war.

I want others to have the opportunities that I had on my own journey from a council estate to Parliament, then Downing Street.

The reality that in the last 20 years social mobility has declined should be lamented by politicians of all colours.

Shockingly, the Sutton Trust charity has found that people born in 1970 were less likely to have moved between social classes than those born in the year of my birth, 1958.

In the space of just 12 years, a child born into poverty would be less – not more – likely to escape the circumstances of their birth. Within a generation, opportunity had become restricted, horizons narrowed.

It is equally dispiriting that a follow-up study found that after years of expensive state programmes, social mobility remained as low for the those born in 1985 as it was for those born back in 1970.

Since the great nineteenth century Conservative Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli pronounced that it was on ‘the education of the people that the fate of this country depends’, true social reformers have understood that unleashing potential is the key to social mobility.

That’s why it’s so important to place an emphasis on a rigorously taught, traditional school curriculum; why we must continue to expand the number of apprenticeships, supported by first class careers advice; and why I support both our excellent grammar schools in Spalding, the academy programme – so beneficial locally – and all our primary and secondary schools striving for excellence.

Education at the heart of social reform means that ambitions can be fulfilled, potential realised and dreams come true.

Crowland B closed the gap on Spalding and District Billiards League leaders Long Sutton with a huge 7-0 win over club rivals Crowland A last week.

Rob Childs (O190), Alan Sharman (R80) and Paul Howard (R70) all won, making breaks of 47, 20 (unfinished) and 22 respectively on the way.

Sutton are now just seven points ahead after they saw off basement boys Gosberton 5-2.

Sean Swinburn (O20) and Mick Cooper (O40) got the job done – and made breaks of 34 and 22 respectively, too.

Mick Johnson (O160) made the highest beak of the week in Consti B’s 7-0 loss at Pyramid B. His super 68 wasn’t enough to derail the rampant Bourne side.

Elsewhere, Stewart Davies (R20) pocketed a super 35 break to help Consti D see off Holbeach B 5-2.

• Results: Gosberton 2 Sutton 5 (537-566); Pyramid B 7 Consti B 0 (600-451); Consti A 5 Pyramid A 2 (591-546); Holbeach A 2 Consti C 5 (457-589); Holbeach C 7 Donington 0 (600-476); Consti D 5 Holbeach B 2 (571-548); Crowland B 7 Crowland A 0 (600-444).

• Shield: Sutton 600 Holbeach C 519; Crowland B 590 Consti D 451.

The first round of Spalding and District Table Tennis League’s Marylands Cup brought its usual round of surprises and debates about the handicaps.

Played as a team event, each player starts on a handicap that can range from zero to 25, playing up to 31.

With last year’s winners Bladerunners having a bye, some interest levelled with runners up JAG.

Sitting just above the foot of Division One, they were drawn against Division Two leaders Castle Sports in what was always likely to be a difficult tie.

Reece Kerry got JAG off to a good start, but with James Gibson playing off his first single figure handicap it proved hard work catching back 12 points.

Castle took the remaining singles, which all went to the third end, plus the doubles for a 4-1 win and now meet the winners of South Holland and Defenders, which had to be postponed.

Phil Coote of Ha’st was another player battling a low handicap – possibly too low – and although he outscored his opponents, it was not enough to win the games.

Team mate Hannah Gilbert won one single but just missed out on another in a double deuce ending, so Outsiders’ Jon Chesworth and Keith Davey went through 4–1 to face Mine’s a Pint or Dark Knights.

With Dark Knights unable to field a full team, just two singles were played and the score stands at 1-1.

Nomads also proceeded through by 4-1 against Division One opponents, coming back from a first game loss to win.

The second singles and doubles went their way quickly, but the final two singles both went all the way – although Nomads took the final ends comfortably. They meet the holders next.

Insidious versus Tornados proved to be very tight, with seven of the 11 ends going down to the last two points.

Insidious took the first, but Tornados fought back with the next singles and doubles before Insidious levelled and then closed the match out 3–2.

They meet Casey’s Pingers in Round Two, which is scheduled for February 12.

Earlier in the evening, Tornados beat Mine’s a Pint 3-2 in a Division Two game that was brought forward.

In another close match, Phil Knowles scored a double for Tornados but Jeremy Hitcham and Andrew Hay levelled the singles with a point each – only to lose the doubles in four ends with two deuces.

KEMPSTON ROVERS 5 HOLBEACH UNITED 3: Glen Maddison felt like he was watching a basketball match on Saturday as he watched his Tigers edged out in an eight-goal UCL Premier Division thriller.

It was end-to-end stuff at Kempston, with the hosts handing Holbach their first league loss in almost exactly a month – a result that sees them leapfrog the Tigers in the table.

Steph Kemoagna (7) fired the Walnut Boys ahead against the run of play, before an own goal hauled Maddison’s men level on the half hour. Parity didn’t last long though, as Scott Joseph (38)and Joel McCormick (42) put Rovers in command at the interval.

Tommy Treacher (50) gave the Tigers hope of a comeback, but Joseph’s second (68) and a Lucas Kirkpatrick effort (72) made Ian Dunn’s last-minute effort academic.

A rueful Maddison felt that his side deserved something from the game. He said: “It was a strange one. When we arrived I had a nasty feeling that the lads weren’t really up for it.

“But we totally dominated early on and had plenty of chances. They then went up the other end and scored with their first shot.

“We did well to get back into it, but two quick breaks put them 3-1 up and I was left scratching my head.

“I still thought we could win the game at half time and that looked likely when Treach pulled one back.

“It happened again though and they scored two more to kill us. You have to give Kempston credit, they probably took their first five chances while we wasted plenty. It was like a basketball game at times.

“Sadly, the work rate and tempo that has seen us be so effective in recent weeks wasn’t there and it cost us.”

The Tigers started superbly at Hillgrounds Leisure and Treacher twice forced smart saves from the home keeper in the opening exchanges. But it was Rovers who broke the deadlock when Kemoagna squeezed a shot under the body of Leigh Overton.

Holbeach continued to boss the match though, with Treacher firing just wide and Pedro Sevilha within a whisker of levelling.

They eventually got their reward thanks to an own goal after good work from Adam Rothery, but Kempston’s quick double before the break really stopped them in their tracks.

Rothery forced a save early in the second period as Maddison’s men tried to get back into the game, before Treacher went one better and netted a deserved second goal.

There was to be no comeback, however, as Kempston netted twice to seal it.

Two impressive subs combined to grab a late third for Holbeach when Frazer Bayliss delivered for Dunn to net at the near post – but it was too little, too late.

Meanwhile, Maddison expects talented teenager Jordan Keeble to sign forms with the Tigers this week after he turned 16. He hopes to give the prolific striker a few chances in both the first team and reserve side before the end of the season.

Tigers: Overton, Leggett, Warfield, Murrell, Shipley, Sevilha, Sturman, Rothery, Hollingworth (Bayliss 69), Waumsley (Dunn 73), Treacher (Relf 80).

• Saturday: Tigers v Desborough (3pm).

HARBOROUGH TOWN 1 DEEPING RANGERS 2: First-half goals from Spencer Tinkler and Dan Flack fired Deeping Rangers back into the top three of the UCL Premier Division on Saturday.

The defensive duo struck inside the opening 25 minutes at basement boys Harborough, rendering Jon Mitchell’s late strike as mere consolation.

Deeping leapfrog Cogenhoe United in the table as a result – and are now level with second-placed AFC Rushden and Diamonds, 16 points behind leaders Spalding United.

Boss Tuncay Korkmaz said: “It was a tough pitch, but the same for both sides of course. It was scrappy, but sometimes winning these kind of games gives you more satisfaction afterwards.

“Harborough have certainly improved and have added a few new faces. The pitch was a bit of a leveller, but a couple of early goals really did the job.”

Rangers set out in a positive manner and had the better of the first half, with Kev Gilbert shooting straight at Glen Giles after good work from Alex Beck.

They got their reward on 11 minutes when Ryan Oliver was fouled in the box from a Scott Ginty corner. That allowed the ever-reliable Tinkler to step up and fire home the penalty.

Gilbert then fired over and David Burton-Jones tested Giles as Deeping continued to dominate, before adding a second goal. The lively Gilbert delivered a 25th-minute cross for Flack, who slotted home.

More Deeping supremacy followed up until half time, as Alex Beck saw two efforts saved and Flack fired a deflected effort past the post.

It was a similar story in the second half with Rangers unfortunate not to add to their advantage with both Beck and Gilbert sending strikes wide.

Deeping never looked in any danger of losing their lead, but did ship an 88th minute goal to Jon Mitchell, who slid a strike past James Doughty.

Next up for Rangers is a tasty-looking Lincs FA Senior Trophy quarter final with higher-graded Grantham Town at Outgang Road tonight (7.45pm). Mitch Griffiths returns, but Joe Braithwaite (cup tied) and Kev Gilbert (unavailable) miss out.

Korkmaz added: “I’ve made no secret of the fact we’re targeting the cups this year.

“I feel we have a side that can compete with most around here. It will be tough as they play at a higher level, but we’re at home and will give it a really good go.”

Meanwhile, Deeping are hopeful of fending off interest in three of their players. Huntingdon Town have a seven-day approach in for striker Ryan Oliver, while Boston Town are in for Simon Ashton and Wisbech Town are trying to re-sign Stacy Cartwright.

Korkmaz told the Free Press that all three players had indicated a desire to stay at Outgang Road.

Deeping: Doughty, Braithwaite, Parker, Tinkler, Ashton, Burton-Jones, Flack , Ginty (Simpson 81 ), Oliver (Heron 66), Beck , Gilbert. Not used: Cartwright.

SPALDING UNITED 1 COGENHOE UNITED 0: It’s often said that ugly 1-0 wins are the hallmark of champions – something that bodes well for Spalding after their latest victory.

Nathan Stainfield’s scruffy 15th-minute goal was enough to secure back-to-back UCL Premier Division wins over title rivals Cogenhoe on Satuday – and sent the Tulips 16 points clear at the top of the table.

It wasn’t the dominant, free-flowing Spalding show that footballing folk have come to expect this season, but with just 12 league games left to play, it further enhances their tag as champions elect.

Tulips chief Pat Rayment said: “It wasn’t the prettiest game. But credit to Cogenhoe, it’s not easy to play the same team back-to-back. They changed their style a little and made it very hard for us.

“They dominated for the first 15 minutes, but we got a goal when it mattered, which is something we are always capable of. I don’t think (keeper) Michael Duggan had much to do after that.

“You win titles by winning games when you’re playing well, but also when you’re not. This was one of those, especially with so many players missing through injury.

“I have to say though, Cogenhoe are the best UCL team we’ve played this season. They are a great club with good players. But I do think we’ve killed off any chance they have of catching us now, which obviously was the aim before these games.”

From the off it was clear that the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field tussle was going to be nothing like last Saturday’s reverse, when the Tulips ripped the Cooks to shreds in a 5-2 thrashing.

Indeed, it was Cogenhoe who started much the brighter – and they had two excellent chances to break the deadlock inside the first ten minutes.

The first one fell to Tom Liversedge, who found a surprising amount of space in the Spalding penalty area before flicking an instinctive outside of the boot effort just wide of the far post.

Wideman Chris Griffin then called Michael Duggan into action with a low side-footed effort from just inside the area. It was well-placed, but Duggan got down low to turn the ball past the post.

Typically, the Tulips then went up the other end and grabbed the opener.

Jamie Thurlbourne pinged a free kick into the box, with Stainfield able to bring the ball down and send a low drive under the sprawling dive of Matt Finlay. The Cogenhoe keeper will feel he should have done better, but Spalding cared not.

Spalding enjoyed their best spell of the match straight after the opener, but failed to convert two big chances.

Lewis Webb’s inviting cross was met by a free Jones at the near post, but he failed to make significant contact with the ball and the visitors scrambled clear.

A lovely Dan Cotton cross then found the chest of Webb, but Finlay was equal to his well-struck half-volley.

Opportunities – and indeed quality – were in limited supply after the break in what proved a drab second period.

Jones did work Finlay with a fine 25-yard drive, while man-of-the-match Stainfield headed a presentable chance over from a corner soon after.

Winger Thurlbourne also blasted a presentable free kick opportunity over, but it mattered little as Spalding held firm for a 23rd league success from 24 matches.

With just 12 games to go, the title edges ever nearer for Pat Rayment’s men.

Tulips: Duggan, Watson, Jackson, Stainfield, Stevens, Webb, Beeson, Hall (Steadman 68), Jones, Cotton, Thurlbourne. Not used: Hussey, Roberts.

Attendance: 144

KESTEVEN RFC 10 SPALDING RFC 19: Spalding completed a hat-trick of wins over county rivals Kesteven on Saturday to stay bang in the Midlands Two East (North) title race.

James West kicked 15 points and Richie Craig added a timely try to clinch Town’s 12 league victories from 14 games – but they are now one point behind leaders Belgrave after they bagged a bonus-point triumph over Bakewell.

The first period saw Spalding playing down the slope, but against a strong wind. Still, they found themselves 3-0 ahead inside two minutes when West buried a 25-yard penalty.

That advantage was wiped out on the quarter hour when the hosts were awarded a penalty on the half-way line. The kick caught the wind and sailed through the posts.

Spalding came back from the restart with a well-placed drop out. They were awarded a penalty in a more difficult position, but this West fired wide of the posts.

From the 22-metre drop out by Kesteven, Town claimed possession and Harry Sharman led his forwards towards the line, before being stopped five metres out.

More away pressure followed, before Spalding were finally awarded a penalty. That resulted in a successful drive to the line and Craig, playing in the back row, was successful in scoring. West converted to take his side into a 10-3 lead after 30 minutes of play.

The lead didn’t last long, with a Kesteven full-back rampaging through from the half-way line to notch a converted try in the move of the match.

Spalding held their nerve in the second half and had countless opportunities to add to their score.

Their best chance to add another try saw Tom Duerden stopped just short of the line, while another great chance saw an untimely knock-on ruin a fine move.

But West’s boot was much more reliable – and he kicked three penalties to seal a 19-10 success for title-chasing Town, who welcome Loughborough to the Memorial Field this Saturday (2.15pm).

Spalding RFC: Harry Sharman (captain), Alex Ioannou, Jacob Harwood, Pete Waudby, Andy Hoyles, Tim Waltham, Josh Finch, Richie Craig, Ben Williams, James West, George Brown, Ryan Chappell, Harry Harrison, Andrew Lal, Adam McHugh, Ian Knight, Tom Duerden and Rob Lucas.

We were pleased to welcome George Scott recently when we had a chance to debate many local issues of interest.

George is a member of the Council of Governors for the Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

Governors work with the board of directors, which is legally responsible for their day-to-day running and strategic development, and agree what needs to be done to meet the needs of the community.

George’s role is as an older adults carer, helping to represent the views of people who care for someone with a mental health problem.

The Spalding and Peterborough Transport Forum was a big part of George’s life for ten years, being one of the founder members, and chairman for many years before he relinquished his post in 2012.

The Forum was started in 2003 in response to the poor train service between Spalding and Peterborough. They then expanded to consider the local bus services as well, resulting in the creation of the 37 bus route to Peterborough on a Sunday. They constantly strive for better conditions of service provided to public transport users.

These issues still exist as well as the proposal to site a rail transport hub locally, something which has proved immensely controversial.

You can listen to the full interview on the podcasts section of our website – www.tulip-radio.co.uk

There will be no repeat of last year’s 12-0 scoreline when Spalding United host Boston Town in a UCL Knockout Cup clash tonight (7.45pm).

That’s the view of Tulips chief Pat Rayment, who has paid tribute to the impact of new Poachers boss Nathan Collins ahead of the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field tie.

Collins was installed after the embarrassing league loss – and Rayment expects a tough Lincolnshire derby.

He said: “Do I want another 12-0? Of course! But I doubt it’ll happen.Nathan has gone there and installed a bit of discipline. There’s no doubt that there are good players there, they just weren’t organised.

“They lost 5-0 to Huntingdon at the weekend, but that stands out as a bit of a blip.”

Tom Roberts will start in goal for the Tulips, who will play Division One side Potton United in the quarter-final if they progress. Either Huntingdon or Wisbech Town would then await in the semis should the holders progress all the way.

The Springfields Motorbike Show returns for another year on Saturday and Sunday (10am).

This year’s show features the ever popular Yorkshireman James Witham, who is attending on Sunday to talk and take questions. www.springfieldsmotorbikeshow.co.uk

Hunt out antiques and collectables gathering dust in the attic for a valuation day at South Holland Centre next Tuesday, January 28.

Lockdales Coins and Collectables is offering free expert valuations from 11am to 3pm.

Ring 01473 627110 to see if your item is of interest.

Slapdash and the Beltonas are celebrating Burns Night with a ceilidh at St Mary’s Church Hall, Pinchbeck, on Friday (7.30pm).

The event includes a meal, with haggis, neeps and tatties, plus Scottish recitations.

Advance booking only on 01775 766170.