IT was a dream start to the season for Kendal as they trounced Leigh Manchester 11-0 in their North West Division 1 North opener at Queen Katherine School.

Phil Conlin’s early goal was disallowed after the ball was judged to have hit a foot in the build up, but it wasn't long before they went ahead through debutant James Marston with a lovely reverse stick strike.

Minutes later Noah Ross finished off an outstanding team move for Kendal’s second then another debutant, Alex Hyman, grabbed the third.

Steven Olliver then darted in to score his first competitive goal for the Greens before Ross calmly added his second.

Hyman edged past the Leigh defenders again to score his before man of the match Ross completed his hat trick with a reverse stick swipe to make it 7-0 at half time.

The visitors came out for the second half determined to slow Kendal down and though it worked for a while, Olliver resumed the scoring spree as he thrust his way into the D and slotted the ball home for his second.

Skipper Aaron Screen then got in on the act with a goal before the impressive Olliver scored twice more to complete the scoring and bring his personal tally to four.

Mark Addison refused to tire in the midfield and with Alex Watkins, John Stanworth, Matt Marston and coach/player Thomas Cash continually making themselves available while Chris Woodman, Gordan Blunt, Nick Davis and Simon Millington refused to allow their goal to be breached and Rob Cartwright’s emphatic vocal contributions were rewarded with a clean sheet.

After such a solid performance Kendal Men’s 1s go top of the table and will hope to remain there after their trip to Kirkby Lonsdale Men’s 1s next weekend.

A youthful Ambleside Ladies crashed to an opening day 3-1 defeat against an impressive Kirkby Stephen Seconds at Kirkbie Kendal Schools Cinder Ovens surface.

Ambleside were 1-0 up within the first three minutes after Maddy Townson drilled the ball past Kirkby Stephen goal tender Grace Wren.

But Kim Balmer flicked the ball into the net for the visitors just before the break and put her side ahead in the second half before Holly Jepson sealed the win.