Spalding Hockey Club hosted the area primary school hockey tournament finals in glorious sunshine at Glen Park, Surfleet.
The celebration had built up throughout the school year, with 19 teams from 12 schools taking part.
It saw about 160 youngsters competing in four graded leagues – advanced, intermediate and two beginner leagues, with the winning teams from each league receiving trophies, presented by special guest Tom Pilgrim, who had started his hockey career at St Norbert’s and has since progressed to becoming a National League umpire.
In the advanced league, current holders Monks House started strongly with wins over St Norbert’s A
(3-0) and St John’s (2-0) but they were matched by fellow title chasers Tower Road A, who also beat Ayscoughfee A (2-0) and St Norbert’s (3-0).
The clash between these two decided who took the honours. In a tensely contested game, Monks House took an early lead but Tower Road equalised with just two minutes remaining.
A draw looked to be on the cards but with just 15 seconds remaining, Monks House popped in the winner.
They then went on to celebrate by putting six goals past a depleted Ayscoughfee to retain the title.
Newly promoted St John’s recorded 1-0 wins over both Ayscoughfee and St Norbert’s to claim the bronze medal position.
The intermediate league was dominated by Boston-based Tower Road B, who won all their games without conceding a goal.
Victories over Surfleet Primary and John Harrox (both 3-0), Spalding Parish (2-0) and neighbours St Thomas’ (6-0) saw them clinch the title.
Surfleet Primary fought hard throughout, beating John Harrox (1-0) and drawing (1-1) with Spalding Parish to finish third, having started the season in the beginner B league.
In the four-team beginner A league, it was another battle between Monks House and Tower Road for the honours.
Monks House B looked impressive in their wins over Gosberton Academy A (2-0) and Pinchbeck East (2-1) and their draw (1-1) with their main contenders was enough for them to take top spot and demonstrate the strength in depth of talent at the school.
Tower Road dominated the beginner B league with victories over Ayscoughfee B (1-0), St Norbert’s B (4-0) and St Thomas’ B (2-0) but were denied a clean sweep by a determined Gosberton Academy B team that held them to a goalless draw.
Ayscoughfee A took second place with wins over St Norbert’s B (4-0) and St Thomas’ B (2-0) and a 0-0 draw with Gosberton Academy B.
Pictures by Nigel Cookson.
