KENDAL Ladies Hockey club recorded a 5-2 opening day win away against Penrith in their first Cumbria fixture of 2008. The team travelled with a mix of young blood and experienced players.

It was a well-fought game from both sides with great determination and teamwork. Both teams gave as good as they got making the game high-tempo and physical. Kendal worked the ball well the whole match. Penrith kept the pressure on and made the Kendal defence work hard.

The first half ended 1-1, with Emma Taggart netting a debut goal for Kendal. The second half saw goals a plenty, A Penrith second was enough to make Kendal dig deep, they replied with four more goals. With Caley Parnell also scoring a debut goal and Louise Whiteley bagging a hat-trick.

Sarah Brooks was awarded the well-deserved player points - an awesome performance and a hand in setting up most of the goals scored.

Kendal were also in Cumbria League action last weekend and found Kirkby Stephen too good for them, going down 2-0.

Windermere Ladies made a winning start to their new life in the Central Lancashire Women's Hockey Association Division 3, beating Garstang 3rds 5-1 at the Lakes School pitch on Saturday.

Windermere soon established territorial advantage and were camped in the Garstang half for long spells. Playing with plenty of width, they created pressure on the visitors' D and both Laura Howarth and Chloe Fields scored impressively from penalty corners. Katie Sanders added a third, finishing a Howarth cross, before half-time and Jess McAvoy worked tirelessly up front but was unlucky with her final touch on a couple of occasions.

Garstang tried hard to get back into the game after the restart but when they cleared a ball into the path of Alison Spiby, her trademark drive from the edge of the D put them further behind.

In the heat of the afternoon, Windermere finally began to lose their shape, allowing Garstang to grab a goal back, but at the end they were pushing forward once more and Howarth scored her second goal from a McAvoy cross to seal a well deserved victory.

Windermere are still in need of a regular goalkeeper and anyone who fancies the role should contact captain Shona Taylor on 447817166660.

Windermere Men played their final warm-up for the NW League 6 restart with a comfortable 7-0 victory over a Lytham side. Youngsters Will Dolman and Jordan Field scored abrace each and the other scorers were Scott Santamera (2) and Mike Hodgson in a useful run-out.