In a repeat of last season’s final, Fleetwood exacted revenge by edging past holders Kendal in a closely-fought first round match at Shap Road.

Naveed Yousaf top-scored for the visitors with an impressive century in a score of 237, but despite Ryan Nelson carrying his bat Kendal fell an agonising nine runs short.

After winning the toss, reigning Northern League champions Fleetwood made a flying start with Yousaf and Adam Parker batting imperiously.

The pair put on a century stand before Parker’s 63-ball stay at the crease was brought to end after a knock containing five boundaries and three sixes.

Parker was ultimately caught out of his ground and stumped by Nelson off the bowling of South African sub professional Michael Price for 66.

The 31-year-old Eastern Province all-rounder proved the pick of the Kendal bowlers, taking 2-36 off his eight-over allocation, and also accounted for Fleetwood professional Ian Holland 42 runs later.

Holland currently has a rookie contract with Victoria Bushrangers after winning the inaugural ‘superhero’ programme aired in Australia and made 23 before being caught by Nick Phillips.

Yousaf continued to pile on the runs, finding willing support from Dean Bell, until being bowled by home skipper Stu Parkin soon after bringing up his century.

The opener found the boundary six times and cleared the ropes on three occasions on his way to 101 from 120 balls.

Bell enjoyed a late cameo, smashing 30 off only 23 balls as Adam Sharrocks also finished the innings unbeaten after contributing a run-a-ball eight.

In reply, Kendal’s run chase started solidly with Nelson and Darren Moore accumulating runs until the breakthrough was made by Joe Bell as the partnership edged towards a half-century stand.

Former Carnforth man Moore was caught by visiting captain Mat Clark off Bell for 23 with the score on 46, which brought Price to the crease.

Price has seven first-class and two List A centuries to his name and put on 75 with Nelson for the second wicket, contributing 35 to the tally.

But after amassing 31 from the 35 balls the right-hander was bowled by off-spinner Kieran McGann. Kendal gained some real impetus to their innings when club stalwart Terry Hunte came to the crease and put on over a century with Nelson to take the home side within a whisker of victory.

Hunte – the Northern League’s highest ever scorer – was in top form, finishing unbeaten on 69, with his 52-ball knock including eight fours and one six.

Although losing only two wickets, Kendal fell nine runs short with Fleetwood’s bowlers, despite being wayward at times and sending down 18 wides, restricting the scoring rate enough to claim victory.

And despite not picking up a wicket, Holland recorded some impressive bowling figures with the 22-year-old medium-pacer bowling three maidens and conceding only 29 runs of his eight overs.