Spalding secured a dramatic victory over reigning Hertfordshire Water Polo League champions Bedford in a fiercely contested match at Bourne.
Heading into the fixture unbeaten, with three wins and two draws, Spalding knew a victory would strengthen their bid for this season’s title.
The team last lifted the trophy in 2019, prior to the Covid-19 lockdown, while Bedford have dominated the competition since play resumed in 2022.
Bedford made an immediate impact, scoring with their opening attack. Spalding responded well, settling into the game and equalising after two minutes through Adam Found but it was Bedford who led 4-3 at the break.
Spalding eventually broke the deadlock in the second quarter and quickly added three more goals to take control with a 7-5 advantage at half-time.
Bedford hit back to pull level before Spalding regained momentum, scoring four unanswered goals to establish a commanding 11-8 lead heading into the final period.
The physical nature of the contest intensified in the fourth quarter, with Spalding losing four players due to accumulated fouls. Bedford capitalised on the numerical advantage, battling back to equalise with just over a minute remaining.
With the game finely poised, Adam Gibbons proved decisive, netting the winning goal with 30 seconds left to secure a memorable victory for Spalding.
Spalding’s goals came from John James (4), Found (2), Tom Nolfork (2), Tom Marsters (2), Sam Murray, Ben Hales, Chris Barham and Gibbons.
