Fielding several new players following a summer influx of talent, the first game saw the Dragons struggle to find their rhythm against local rivals Spalding. Spalding were looking sharper and hungrier and BDHC soon found themselves on the back foot with James Page in the Dragons’ goal forced into a number of important saves to keep the score to just 1-0 at the break.
The second half saw the Dragons up their game and start to get more aggressive in the tackle; however it was Spalding who grabbed the all-important second goal from a penalty corner. Debutant Jimmy Dodsworth grabbed a consolation for the Dragons on the final whistle, but it was Spalding who went through to the cup competition, leaving Bourne Deeping concentrating on the Plate.