Long Sutton 3rd took the bragging rights in the first East Men’s Hockey League South Holland derby of the season as they saw off hosts Spalding 4th 3-0 at Glen Park on Saturday.
The Division 5NW clash was a pretty one-sided affair, with Sutton finally claiming their first victory of the campaign.
Two Gary Hales goals put the visitors in command at half time, before Luke Lovegrove netted number three to clinch the points.
Lovegrove could have added more in the closing stages, but was thwarted by a string of fine saves.
Up in Premier B, Spalding 1st made it three wins from as many matches as they romped to a 6-2 victory at Harleston Magpies 2nd.
Master marksman Stuart Cunnington helped himself to a hat-trick, while Michael Morris and Robert Dalton also notched to keep Spalding joint top of the table.
At the other end of the table, Long Sutton 1st remain winless after three games following a 6-3 defeat against Norwich City 1st.
The visitors led 4-1 at half time, with Dan Batten the Sutton scorer via a clinical deflection.
Danny Sisson added two more in the second period, but it wasn’t enough for the hosts.
In Division 3NW, Sutton 2nd suffered their first loss of the season as they went down 6-0 at St Ives 2nd.
Spalding 3rd remain top of Division 4NW, though, after a fine 4-0 home victory over CIty of Peterborough (COP) 6th at Glen Park. A top class hat-trick from Glenn Perkins and Darren Grooby’s strike were more than enough for Spalding, who have won three out of three.
They are three points clear of Spalding 2nd, who beat COP 7th 4-2. Steve Rogers (2), Peter Wright and Daniel Adams scored for the new-look 2nd side.
Down in Division 6NW (N), Spalding 5th came from behind to draw 1-1 at Bourne/Deeping 6th thanks to an Adrian Bettinson strike.
Sutton 4th, meanwhile, were beaten 7-2 at leaders Leadenham 2nd. Tyler Hagan and James Baker got the Sutton goals in the first half.
- It was a case of defeats all round for South Holland sides in East Women’s League on Saturday.
In Division 1N, Spalding Poachers 1st lost for the third week on the spin as Royston handed them a 5-3 home reverse. Ellie Pybus (2) and Kelly Slater scored for Spalding.
In Division 2NW, Long Sutton ladies’ 1st went down 3-2 at King’s Lynn Pelicans 1st thanks to a late winner.
Sutton trailed 2-0 at the break, but Lyn Tancred and Leanne Woodhead had pulled it back to 2-2.
Spalding Poachers 2nd are still winless In Division 3NW (N) after a 7-1 defeat at home to Cambs South 1st. Alanna “AJ” Bunyan scored.
Also without a win in the same league are Spalding Poachers 3rd.
They went down 4-1 at Cambs Uni 3rd, with Imogen Elmer the sole scorer.
