Spalding Hockey Club round-up

Fears of a frozen pitch were allayed as Spalding men's second team triumphed in their match with Kettering on Saturday.

They defied the cold and windy weather to record a 2-1 win thanks to goals from Adolfo Chantre and Tom Pilgrim.

Spalding started well with some strong passing play up and down the pitch that forced pressure upon Kettering and having some good opportunities to score but just lacking the final touch.

The passing play continued and Matthew McManamon-Cookson received the ball on the right wing to then play a strong ball into the D which Chantre scored for a 1-0 interval lead.

After the rest of Kettering's substitutes arrived, they seemed to find the missing piece and started to come at Spalding hard.

They had some solid chances which Rob Callaby, Harry Maplethorpe, Liam Fravigar and Callum Fravigar were able to withstand until conceding a goal from a short corner to level the contest.

Spalding began to fight their way back into the game, playing some good hockey and finding spaces down the wing and creating plenty of chances.

The winning goal arrived as a shot from Tiago Read left the ball hovering in the air for Pilgrim to slam dunk into the goal.

There were noticeable performances from player of the match McManamon-Cookson, Harry Maplethorpe and Robbie Callaby.

Spalding Ladies were caught by a series of quick breaks as they went down to a 4-1 home defeat against Cambridge University 3rds on Saturday.

The game started with both teams fighting hard for possession and with it being evenly split.

Spalding utilised the width by attacking down the wings with Kate Amess and Tabitha Dunnett progressing into the away team's half.

Cambridge fought hard, using a quick break to open the scoring before half-time.

After an inspiring team talk, Spalding entered the second half with a positive outlook.

The second half started very much the same as the first with equal possession from both teams.

Spalding won a short corner which Ellie Holland converted but Cambridge once again capitalised on quick breaks to run out winners.

The ladies' second team game with Ely City and the thirds' match against St Ives were both postponed.

The matches involving the men's first, third and fourth teams were postponed due to frozen pitches.