KENDAL started the new season with excitement as they entered a second team in the North West Hockey League - and it turned out to be the perfect opening weekend for both teams.

The firsts ran out comfortable 4-2 victors over Keswick 2nds in Division Four North while the seconds scored late on to snatch a 1-0 win away at Leyland and Chorley in Division Six NorthNorth.

Keswick started quickly at Kirkbie Kendal School and put Kendal under early pressure, but failed to capitalise.

Kendal worked their way into the game through their passing which led to two goals from striker Ewan Galloway - the second of which was a delightful overhead volley.

Kendal continued their dominating passing game in the second half leading to goals from attacking midfielder Aaron Screen and a great penalty corner conversion from solid defender Chris Woodman.

More goals for Kendal were denied by an outstanding display from the Keswick keeper.

The final 15 minutes were evenly contested and the visitors scored twice in quick succession - one from a penalty corner and the second from a quick break away.

It could have been more but for a sterling debut in goal by Rob Cartwright and a really strong performance in defence by Kendal skipper and man of the match Nick Davis.

The new team travelled to Leyland and Chorley with five under 16s in the squad and the majority of the team making their league debut.

Kendal started brightly and creating several openings. A ball over the top allowed Harry Denney to round the keeper but his reverse stick shot clattered the post and was cleared.

There were chances for Omar Nyf, Josh Weeks and Steve Barclay who all went close. Weeks managed to put the ball in the net only for the umpire to blow as he struck it to award Kendal a penalty corner.

Kendal's defence was well organised with Jamie Atkinson and Iain Donaldson limiting opposition chances to penalty corners.

In these instances keeper Josh Chacko made several excellent double saves to keep a clean sheet.

Just as it seemed Kendal would have to settle for a scoreless draw, another penalty corner was awarded.

The final whistle sounded but the penalty corner still had to be played.

The ball was injected and stopped cleanly to allow Steve Barclay to rifle the ball into the bottom left for a thoroughly deserved win.