Alanna “AJ” Bunyan scored an incredible eight goals as Spalding Poachers 2nd thrashed March Town 1st 12-1 in East Women’s Hockey League Division 3NW on Saturday.
The talented Bunyan scored a hat-trick in the first half, along with a goal from Lauren Spenceley, as Spalding seized command of the game.
With some high-quality hockey being played, Bunyan bagged five more goals to make it a amazing day for both player and team, before Spenceley and Calypso Priestley rounded off the rout.
Up in Division 2NW, Long Sutton ladies’ 1st beat Spalding Poachers 1st 1-0 in the big derby showdown.
Tania White netted the only goal of the game Glen Park to move 11 points clear of their South Holland rivals.
Down in Division 4NW (N), Spalding Poachers 3rd enjoyed two wins in as many days. They beat Woodhall Spa 1st 3-1 on Saturday thanks to goals from Mia Dewing and Louise Maplethorpe (2).
Dewing then netted again to give them a 1-0 victory against Alford 2nd.
In the same division, Long Sutton 2nd won 3-0 at Alford 2nd after goals from Hannah Baker (2) and Becky Hales.
- Spalding 1st kept their hopes of survival in East Men’s Hockey League Premier A alive with a 5-3 victory over Saffron Walden 1st on Saturday.
Michael Morris, Stuart Cunnington, Steve Rogers, Connor Allen and Josh Rowbottom netted the goals for them, as they moved off the bottom of the table.
It was a competitive performance from Spalding, but their mood was dented with news that relegation rivals Ipswich drew.
That means Spalding need at least four more points from their remaining three games, which are all against former National League teams.
In Division One, already relegated Long Sutton 1st raced to a 10-0 victory over Felixstowe 1st at Peele Leisure Centre.
Josh Fyson (2), Ben Shore (2), Jimmy Harrison, Dan Batten, Will Cook, Matt Goodley, Josh Baker and Luke Jackson got the goals.
Down in Division 3NW, Spalding 3rd have been relegated after an 8-1 defeat at Cambs City 4th. Stuart Ruskin got their consolation with a well-struck strike.
Above them, Spalding 2nd are still fighting for survival after a 4-1 defeat at Cambs City Vets. Richard McKenna got their goal, with Joe Higgins the man of the match.
In Division 4NW, Long Sutton 2nd suffered a 5-0 home reverse against title-chasing St Ives 2nd.
It was a better day for Spalding 4th in Division 5NW, as they walloped hosts St Neots 3rd 6-1.
Darren Willson (2) , Frazer Watt (2), George Swindell and Tom Amess all got in on the act, with the latter bagging his first goal of the season.
Meanwhile, there was a derby draw in Division 6NW (N) as Long Sutton 3rd and Spalding 5th battled out a cracker.
Jacob Drew gave hosts Spalding the lead, but Luke Proctor’s double gave Sutton a 2-1 advantage before Jason Naylor’s penalty flick ensured the spoils were shared.
Both sides are in the race for second place with just a handful of games left to play.
