KENDAL Warriors defeated Cumbrian rivals Carlisle Panthers 80-78 on Sunday despite having to cope without some key players.

The hosts came out flying at the start as Notman led the Carlisle attack and Kendal surrendered the centre of their defence allowing him to take advantage as he drove to the basket on a number of occasions. Phil Mason was the only Warrior to put up any resistance as Carlisle led the first quarter 17- 6.

In the second quarter, a change in defence by the Warriors caused the Panthers immediate problems as Mathias Basedow, Tom Withnell and Marc Crockford pressured their opponents’ guards. Crockford and Gareth France were also finding their shooting range as they hit five three pointers between them in the quarter.

Withnell and Mason would also contribute points as Kendal ran out into a nine point lead.

However all Kendal’s good work was thrown out of the window in the final few minutes of the quarter as Gibson hit a flurry of points without reply to regain the lead at the half way point 38- 32.

Kendal composed themselves again in the third quarter with Nathan Williams now starting to impose himself on both ends of the court, taking some solid rebounds whilst also scoring some important points.

France was again contributing on the offensive end as was Withnell whose six points in the quarter brought Kendal to within five points.

However frustrations would boil over for Kendal at a perceived lack of consistency from the officials which created a loss of focus in the away team.

Carlisle took advantage of this as Stevenson and Striska carried the fight for the Panthers and scored a combined seventeen points in the quarter, leading their team to a 59- 49 advantage at the end of the third.

Kendal gambled in the final quarter applying full court pressure in an attempt to get back into the game. This paid dividends as Carlisle began to turn the ball over.

Mason, Crockford and Keith McInnes would score important points as the Warriors started to trade points.

With three minutes left Kendal still trailed by eight points but the pressure being applied was still causing Carlisle problems.

France and Mason led the fight back scoring twenty points combined in the quarter with twelve of those coming in the final two minutes of the match as Kendal took a two point lead in the final seconds.

A steal by France and McInnes saw Carlisle’s last chance go begging as the Warriors dug out a 78- 80 win.