Both Kelly Tuplin and Kelly Slater hit hat-tricks to inspire Spalding Poachers 1st to a crushing 9-1 victory over Wisbech 2nd in East Women’s Hockey League Division 2NW on Saturday.
Katie Gray put the opener on a plate for Tuplin, before Jacqui Hunter buried the second from a short corner. Slater made it 3-0 from another well worked short corner, with Hermione Wright then notching number four to put Spalding in command at half time.
A super solo strike from Gray extended the lead to five, only for Wisbech to then pull a goal back.
From then on it was all about Poachers duo Tuplin and Slater, who bagged two more apiece to make it 9-1 and secure a fifth league win from six games.
That return keeps them one point behind leaders City of Peterborough.
In the same division, Long Sutton ladies’ 1st earned a 3-0 victory at lowly Ely City to register their fourth success of the season.
Lisa Baker blasted the Lincolnshire ladies into an early lead, before doubling her tally on 20 minutes after super set-up play from player-of-the-match Charlie Leuty.
The clinching third goal arrived in the second period, with Leanne Woodhead keeping her balance – despite being felled by the advancing keeper – to fire into the net. Sutton are now fifth, four points off the pace-setters.
In Division 3NW, Louise Billingham, Sam Carr and Leah Goodley all notched to give Long Sutton 2nd a fine 3-1 home win over high-flying Skegness.
But there were slim pickings for Spalding Poachers 2nd and Spalding Poachers 3rd in the same division.
Spalding’s second string ladies’ side were beaten 3-0 at Lincoln 2nd despite a POTM show from Charlotte Morris, while Poachers 3rd lost 2-0 at home to Spilsby 1st.
Steph Mountney was their star performer.
Saturday’s fixtures
D2NW – Bourne/Deeping 1st v Spalding 1st (2pm); Long Sutton 1st v Alford 1st (1pm).
Division 3NW (N) – Lincoln 3rd v Spalding 3rd (2pm); Spilsby 1st v Long Sutton 2nd (11am); Spalding 2nd v Woodhall Spa 1st (11am).
