Irresistible Spalding 4th clinched the East Men’s Hockey League Division 6NW (N) title and notched up 100 goals for the season as they beat Long Sutton 3rd 3-0 on Saturday.
With just two games remaining, the Spalding side are also on the verge of a flawless season as they made it 16 wins from as many matches.
Bailey Harker picked out Max Bland to fire Spalding ahead a Glen Park, before Shaun Dewing’s penalty flick brought up their century and made it 2-0 at half-time.
Bland then rounded off the scoring with his second of the afternoon, notching from a rebound after a move involving Jeremy Watt, Darren Wilson and Ben Scholes.
In the same division, Spalding 5th won 4-1 at Bourne Deeping 6th as Andy Barlow (2), Alex Cunnington and George Halgarth scored, while Long Sutton 4th also saw off Wisbech 4th 3-1 with goals from Ian White (2) and James Collingwood.
Up in Premier B, Spalding 1st did their promotion hopes the power of good with a dominant 7-0 victory at basement boys Old Southendians.
They led 2-0 at the break thanks to a brace from ace goal-getter Stuart Cunnington, while Josh Olphin pulled off a fine save from a short corner.
Harry Vickers and Tom Everton both bagged to make it 4-0 early in the second period, before Vickers notched the best goal of the game following some slick passing exchanges.
There was still time for Connor Allen to net, before Cunnington completed his customary hat-trick.
Spalding are now second, level on points with promotion rivals Norwich City with a game in hand.
In Division One, Long Sutton 1st bounced back to form with a super 7-2 victory over Cambs City 3rd at the Peele Leisure Centre.
Ben Shore hit a hat-trick in the dominant display, while Josh Fyson (2), Gary Hales and player-of-the-match Jimmy Harrison also netted.
Down in Division 3NW, Spalding 2nd left it late to gain a dramatic 4-3 win over St Neots 1st.
They led 2-1 at the break thanks to Glenn Richardson and Peter Wright, but soon found themselves 3-2 down.
With three minutes left Wright deflected home a leveller, before Ryan Mountney fired in the winner moments later.
Spalding 3rd also bagged a late winner to see off hosts Leadenham 1st and earn a long-overdue victory. Steve Rogers put them ahead, but the hosts notched twice to take the lead. However, Dave
Burrell flicked home a leveller and then lashed in the winner from a penalty corner with five minutes left.
Long Sutton 2nd, meanwhile, are in the drop zone after a 5-2 loss at Bourne Deeping 2nd.
- Spalding Poachers 1st continued their excellent run in East Women’s Hockey League Division 2NW with a 3-0 win over Cambs Uni 3rd.
Georgina Maplethorpe (2) and skipper Karen Timby bagged the goals.
Long Sutton 1st were also on-song as they beat leaders St Neots 1st 1-0 through a Charlene Leuty strike.
In Division 3NW Spalding Poachers 2nd went down 2-1 against Cambs South despite a goal from AJ Bunyan.
Down in Division 4NW (N), Spalding Poachers 3rd thrashed Woodhall Spa 1st 8-0 with goals from Kate Beeson (3), Helen Jex (2), Lauren Spencely, Joan Lavery and Rachel Adams.
Long Sutton ladies’ 2nd were beaten 3-1 at home by Bourne Deeping 2nd.
