Spalding Water Polo’s ‘Spalding Orcas’ were very unfortunate to lose 12-10 at a very strong Milton Keynes A in the East Midlands League.
Milton Keynes quickly took a 2-0 lead in the first quarter, but the Orcas were unlucky not to be ahead as they hit the post many times, Jack Carpenter unfortunately missed a penalty and they had a goal disallowed.
Ed Martin pulled one back with less than a minute to go, but the Orcas trailed 3-1 going into the second quarter.
However, the Orcas soon levelled the score at 3-3 through goals from Martin and captain Ben Marsters.
Martin’s goal was the result of a superb pass from Nick Rickett on the halfway point.
Milton Keynes then went ahead again with three more goals, before 15-year-old Jimmy Hook scored twice – his first goals in the senior team – to leave Orcas 6-5 down at half time.
The home team dominated the third quarter, scoring three goals to Spalding’s one, courtesy of Harry Bumfrey.
The fourth quarter saw MK extend their lead to 11-6, before three quick goals from Marsters, Martin and James Teesdale reduced the deficit to 11-9.
The hosts scored once more and the Orcas were unable to find the net again until the final seconds, when Marsters increased his tally to three for the night.
Marsters said after the match: “We played well in what was a very physical game against the strong Milton Keynes A side.
“I was very pleased with the performance of our junior players, Harry Bumfrey and John Baxter, both 16, and Jimmy Hook, 15, who showed they can hold their own in senior matches.”
Scorers: Ben Marsters (3), Ed Martin (3), Jimmy Hook (2), Harry Bumfrey and James Teesdale.
