A PERFORMANCE of strength and determination from Kendal Ladies' earned its rewards as they grabbed a dramatic 4-3 in against visitors Wilmslow on Saturday.

Following their recent losses at Harrogate and Morpeth, Kendal needed to win the match to halt a slide down the North West Premier Division table.

In a tightly contested game, the home side started with purpose and quickly converted positive forward momentum into goals as they went 2-0 up with early strikes by Mel Whalley-Jones and Bertie Anderton.

However, the opposition worked themselves back into the game, venturing forward, winning and then converting three penalty corners to surge into a 3-2 lead.

But with many open play striking opportunities and coming achingly close on a couple of occasions, Kendal did not give up and battled back into the reckoning in the second half.

Strong tackling and composure was restored in the defence with Hannah Wright and player of the match Laura Morris maintaining a strong barrier against the opposition.

There were also some passages of lovely link play between Nicola Hartley and Rosie Dale in the midfield up to the forward line with tireless running from forward players Zoe Dempsey and Celia Powell.

It was a game that could have gone to either team but the points were earned the hard way for Kendal with a 56th minute winner which sealed a triumph which leaves Kendal sitting comfortably in the middle of the Division One table.

This weekend the team are away to Bowdon Ladies 2s.

Windermere Ladies moved to third in the Lancashire Central Women’s League Premier Division with a thumping 7-0 win at Longridge 2s.

Mere put the frustration of two successive draws behind them by taking a decisive 4-0 first half lead with an opening penalty corner strike by skipper Abbey Carroll followed by field goals from Raine Wickens and Kitty Brownell (2).

Another brace in the second half took top scorer Brownell's match tally to four and Carroll surged forward to get her second with only minutes remaining.

Player of the match was right back Michelle Cheah.