Spalding Water Polo’s Orcas suffered a 15-5 defeat against Kettering in their latest East Midlands league match last Thursday night.
Kettering started the match the stronger of the two teams, taking the lead in the first minute.
The Orcas soon levelled the match with a superb goal in the bottom right corner from John James, who shot from just past halfway the half way line.
Three more quick goals from Kettering increased their lead to 4-1, before James scored again following neat bit of passing from the Orcas players.
They continued to attack the Kettering goal but were unable to find the net, with shots from James and Ben Marsters hitting the framework.
To make matters worse, Kettering added another two goal to finish 6-2 ahead at the end of the first quarter.
At the beginning of the second quarter, Orcas player Calvin Wilson was excluded for a major offence. Kettering took advantage of being a man up and scored again. More shots from James and Jack Carpenter went wide before James completed his hat-trick with a goal from five metres out.
Goalkeeper James Teesdale then faced a barrage of shots from Kettering, but was in excellent form and prevented them from extending their lead to more than 7-3.
The third quarter didn’t start well for the Orcas, with Kettering grabbing two quick goals. More shots at goal from the Orcas hit the post, but Marsters finally added to the score with a goal in the top corner.
The Orcas were unlucky not to score again as shots from Carpenter and Ed Martin hit the bar, before Kettering added another two goals to go 11-4 up.
Kettering started the final quarter on the attack and soon added to their tally. However, the Orcas pulled one back after quick passing set up Marsters.
Another three goals from Kettering resigned the Orcas to their heaviest defeat of the season.
