Spalding made a great start to the Hertfordshire League Water Polo season with a 14-6 win against Hertford.
Spalding went 1-0 down in the first quarter, which was fast-paced with countless end-to-end attacks and great build-up play but poor finishing.
Spalding began to dominate play, attacking the deep end and were 5-1 to the good at half-time with great defensive work from Steve Rogers and goals from Jimmy Hook (2), Nathan Henfrey and Adam Gibbons. Solid saves from Matty Zajac gave them a good foundation for the rest of the game.
Spalding’s lead remained intact after the third quarter, which finished 9-5 thanks to goals from Tom Norfolk, Harry Bumfrey, Adam Found and one of the goals of the game from Joe Scotney, with a fizzing backshot.
The final quarter saw some good game management and strong finishing from Chris Barham, another from Gibbons and two more from Found, along with the other goal of the game, a 20-metre lob from Bumfrey.
Lola Westrick, John Hanby and Richard Howells performed admirably on their debuts.
Coaches Tom Masters and John James were pleased with everyone’s performance and thanks were expressed to referee Dave Lord and Sally Hook and her army of table officials.
Club coach Mark Le Sage said: “We are very lucky to have a very successful junior squad thanks to the hard work of coaches Dave Lord, Tom Masters and Nathan Hemfrey.”
Junior training runs every Tuesday, 8pm, at the Castle Sports Complex and anyone interested is welcome for a taster session. Juniors must be over eight years old and a competent swimmer.
Spalding made a great start to the Hertfordshire League season with a 14-6 win against Hertford.