In-form Long Sutton 2nd climbed up to second in East Men’s Hockey League Division 4NW with an impressive 4-2 derby success at rivals Spalding 2nd.
Sutton’s ‘green army’ started much the better and were soon ahead at Glen Park when Stefan Fox unselfishly teed-up Nick Bailey to fire home.
That was the start of a remarkable first period for Bailey, who rifled home his second into the roof of the net moments later. Not done there, the striker wrapped up a whirlwind hat-trick following a smart pass from Adam Wiles.
Yellow cards to Tom Bettinson and Chris McKenna hurt Spalding in the opening period, but they battled back to 3-2 early in the second after thunderbolt short corner strikes from Glenn Perkins and Graham Doades. The comeback was extinguished by Jeremy Watt’s clincher though, as Sutton leapfrogged their rivals in the table.
Up in Premier B, Long Sutton 1st were on the receiving end of a stunning comeback.
They went down 5-4 at home to Harleston Magpies 2nd at Peele Leisure Centre, despite a hat-trick from Danny Sisson and a Gary Hales effort putting them 4-0 up at the break.
Spalding 1st picked up another point in 2N, as they drew 2-2 at University East Anglia 1st amid horrible conditions.
They came from behind to lead 2-1 at the interval thanks to goals from Tom Hewitt and a rare Piers Smith Hughes effort.
It was largely even in the second half, with UEA capitalising on a rare Spalding error to net an equaliser ten minutes from time.
Spalding 3rd did return to winning ways in 4NW though, as they edged out March 3rd 3-2.
The away side stuck first, but a Ryan Mountney effort levelled matters before the break – only for March to re-take the lead in the second period.
A stunning blow from Eddie Hall levelled the scores once again, before Sam Vickers pounced for the winner with five minutes remaining.
Meanwhile, it was a bleak day for Spalding 4th and Spalding 5th in Division 6NW (N). Runaway league leaders Leadenham 1st thrashed the youthful 4th team 9-0, while Darren Willson’s strike couldn’t stop the 5th side losing 4-1 to Alford 2nd.
• Spalding Poachers 1st slipped off the top of East Women’s League Division 2NW after suffering a 2-1 defeat at Ely 1st on Saturday.
Although Spalding maintained a lot of the ball possession, Ely were speedy on the attack and they soon grabbed an opener after some slick passing in and around the D.
Poachers won a number of short corners and were unlucky not to level, before a quick break from a free hit put the hosts 2-0 ahead at half time.
Ten minutes into the second period a free hit and some sharp passing found Karen Timby, who dribbled past two defenders and coolly slotted the ball into the goal to give Spalding hope of a result – but a leveller failed to materialise.
Meanwhile, Spalding Poachers 2nd battled out a thrilling 3-3 draw with Newmarket Ladies’ 1st in Cambs Ladies’ League Premier Division. Goals from Alex Allwright and Coral Wild put depleted Spalding 2-1 ahead at the break.
Although Newmarket levelled, Helen Jex thought she’d won it for the Poachers before a second equaliser cost them a first league win of the season.
There was also a stalemate for Spalding Poachers 3rd in Cambs Division Two. They were held to a 0-0 draw at Peterborough Ladies’ 4th.