Depleted Long Sutton Hockey Club men’s 1st came up just short in a thriller with Kettering 1st on the opening day of the season.
Dan Batten and Josh Baker both bagged at the Peele Leisure Centre on Saturday, but Sutton were edged out 3-2.
Meanwhile, Sutton’s top ladies’ team battled to a 0-0 draw with hosts Bourne Deeping 1st in their opener.
Sutton keeper Lorraine Wallis was very busy throughout and gained the player of the match prize for her side.
Other Long Sutton results: Men – St Neots 1st 5 Sutton 2nd 1 (Luke Jackson); Leadenham 2nd 2 Sutton 3rd 1 (Adam Pack).
Women – Spilsby 1st 2 Sutton ladies’ 2nd 0.
Spalding Hockey Club results (Sat): Men – Spalding 1st 3 Broxbourne 1st 5 (Joe Higgins 2, Stuart Cunnington); Spalding 2nd 6 Cambridge South 2nd 3 (Michael Morris 2, Darren Grooby, Lawrence Smith-Hughes, Ryan Mountney, Frazer Watt); Cambs Nomads 2nd 4 Spalding 3rd 0; COP 8th 0 Spalding 5th 1 (Oliver Smith).
Women – Dereham 2nd 0 Spalding Poachers 1st 1 (Charlotte Maplethorpe); Spalding Poachers 2nd 2 Ely City 1st 1 (Grace Hodgett, Lauren Spenceley); Wisbech Town 2nd 8 Spalding Poachers 3rd 0.
