Spalding Water Polo make a splash with brilliant Biggleswade win

Spalding Water Polo took a squad of ten players to the Biggleswade Water Polo tournament on Saturday – and returned home as well-deserved champions.

Eight teams from East Anglia took part in the tournament, which comprised of matches of two five-minute halves.

Spalding drew Ipswich, Dunstable and Hatfield in their group.

The first match was a 2-0 win against Dunstable, with the goals coming from skipper Ben Marsters and vice captain Jack Carpenter.

Next up was Ipswich, with Spalding losing 3-1 despite another Marsters strike.

The final game of the group was against long-time rivals Hatfield.

It was a very tight, but nervous, game as the winner would progress to the semi-finals. Excellent defending from keeper Jon Davis stopped Hatfield from scoring but Spalding couldn’t find the back of the net either.

The game finished 0-0, meaning the result would be decided by penalties.

Both teams converted their three efforts, with Spalding’s goals courtesy of John James, Carpenter and Steve Rogers.

It was then sudden death – and Marsters coolly slotted home his shot before Hatfield missed their strike, sending Spalding into the semi-finals.

The semi-final was against Norwich, with Spalding excelling on their way to a 3-1 success thanks to goals from Ed Martin and Marsters (2).

That teed up a final against Ipswich, a re-run of the group stage match which Spalding lost. However, this time Spalding reversed the score, triumphing 3-1 after brilliant team play and goals from Rogers and Marsters (2).

Spalding are hoping to continue their winning ways in next Saturday’s outdoor tournament at Hitchin.

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