COACH Jon Elleray insists there will be no adverse reaction or hangover after Kendal Ladies suffered their heaviest defeat of the season at title-challenging Wakefield.

Despite Beth Cordukes firing the visitors into an early lead, England international Sally Walton seized centre stage to score a hat-trick as the Yorkshire outfit overpowered their opponents.

And while defeat remains hard to take, Elleray accepts results such as these are par for the course and reflect Kendal’s current status in the game.

“We were playing a team flying high in the league and they’re there for a reason and although we started well they came into it and basically played the game a lot quicker than us,” he said.

“It’s one of those games you have to put into perspective – they are top and probably of a standard to be mid-table in the Premier Division.

“We were against a class outfit who have played together for many years and are the best team we’ve faced this year without doubt.

“It hits home that Cumbria as a hockey county is miles behind everyone else, with some of the teams we’ve faced this season having up to eight women’s teams.”

Fantastic link play saw a precise pass across the D which was smashed home by Cordukes after five minutes although this was the high point as Kendal appeared to lose composure.

Rosie Tootell, Walton and Hannah Norman scored to give Wakefield a healthy half-time lead before the home side made sure of points in the second period.

Walton completed her treble while Cat Horn was also on target, although the teams below Kendal in the league standings all suffered defeats and failed to capitalise.

With three games remaining, Kendal Ladies entertain third-placed University of Durham at Kirkbie Kendal School on Saturday, with Elleray keen to stress the importance of the weekend.

“We’ve got Doncaster to come but this weekend is likely to be a crucial one,” he added. “If we pick up a point it would go a long way to keeping us in the league.

“It’s a tricky one as Boots and Ben Rhydding still have to play each other but I don’t really want to leave it until the Doncaster game to make sure. A point would be a fantastic result.”