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.
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.
