In-form Spalding Orcas made it two wins on the spin by defeating Kettering 16-6 last Tuesday night.
The Spalding Water Polo outfit took the lead in the first minute through Steve Rogers – but Kettering responded with two quick goals. Despite pressure and plenty of attacking play from both teams, neither side could find the net and the first quarter finished 2-1 to Kettering.
That all changed in the second quarter, however, as the Orcas impressively seized control of the game.
Ben Marsters levelled at 2-2 following a good swim and accurate pass from George Rogers.
Then came a goal fest from John James, scoring an amazing six times in the last four minutes of the quarter.
His second goal came after a superb swim from halfway and his sixth from a penalty after a foul in front of goal on Phil James. Harry Bumfrey also added to the goal tally, helping Spalding to a lead of 9-2 at half time.
The third quarter started with great attacking and defending by both teams but Kettering’s persistence resulted in two quick goals, reducing the deficit to five.
![SEVEN-UP: John James scored seven for Spalding Orcas.](https://spaldingvoice.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/John-James.jpg)
Undeterred, Spalding increased their lead again with Steve Rogers grabbing two more goals – his second in the final seconds of the quarter to make it 11-4.
At the start of the final quarter Spalding piled on the pressure, with shot after shot being saved before Marsters and Bumfrey notched again to make it 13-4. Kettering pulled one back, only for
Spalding to score again, with team stalwart Alan Butler scoring his first goal of the season.
From the re-start Spalding were caught on the hop, leading to Kettering scoring a quick goal.
A frantic last minute followed, with James adding to his tally after a fine pass from Butler and Marsters getting his third of the match in the last second of the game, a penalty after another foul on Phil James in front of goal.
Keeper Jon Davis put in another faultless performance at the other end.