CUMBRIA schoolgirls have enjoyed unprecedented success at the start of this year's campaign by winning fixtures at Under-21, Under-18 and Under-16 level against formidable opponents.

Cumbria Under-21s opened in style with defeats of Lancs Central 4-3 and Lancashire 6-3 in a triangular tournament which acted as a warm-up for this Sunday's North Under-21 competition at North Shields in Northumberland.

Julie Hope hit a hat-trick and Kath Sherlock scored twice and an own goal made up the tally against Lancashire.

This pair were on the scoresheet again when two from Sherlock, one for Hope and an own goal accounted for Central in a fine all-round team display.

Keeping the winning theme going, Cumbria Under-18s beat Lancashire and West Yorkshire at the weekend.

Two goals in the last three minutes snatched a win out of the fire for Cumbria as they turned a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 win thanks to strikes by Sherlock and Hope.

Cumbria defended superbly with Jen Cannon and Nicola Martindale outstanding.

There was a more comfortable 4-0 win over West Yorkshire with Sherlock (2), Hope and Lisa Potter on target.

The success across the age group continued when Cumbria U16s beat Cleveland 2-1 with goals from Michelle Lefton and Jan Hope and defeated North Yorkshire 1-0 after Gabby Santos scored the decisive goal.

Cumbria coach Debbie Birkbeck said: "It's been an outstanding set of perform-ances considering the standard of the opposition and we are seeing some reward for the work done at an earlier age with the county girls, such as attending performance centres and holding regular get-togethers."

Kirkby Stephen Ladies went down 1-0 away to Dalston Ladies on Saturday.

Kirkby started with an unfamiliar look due to a change of formation and from the start the exchanges were full of pace, aggression and competitiveness.

Kirkby produced good interplay in midfield but could not supply a final ball through to the forwards.

Dalston's fast-breaking forwards test the visitors' defence to the limits but they held on with clever zonal play.

The deadlock ended midway through the first half when Dalston converted a penalty award controversially following a goal-line.

scramble.

Kirkby came back with a vengeance in the second half, linking well to create chances but were unable to capitalise.

Close to the end Mel Whalley was put through one-on-one with the Dalston keeper who made agood save.

Kendal Ladies emerged 5-0 winners over Glaxo Ladies in an eventual Netherwood League match on Sunday.

Good pressure brought an opening goal from Sarah Dent with a tap-in off the post after 10 minutes

Passing well to produce several near-misses, Kendal could not add to their solitary goal before half time.

Instead Glaxo got on top at the start of the second half to test the home defence.

The danger passed and Julie Ashworth added to the score with a solo effort and a well-struck shot from the top of the D.

Dent then added a second to her scoresheet before Sarah Baron took it to 4-0 and then crossed for Rachel Miller to score a fifth and final goal.

Youngster Janie Oates worked hard alongside Kendal's Sarah Dent and Jo Martin.