Kendal Men’s Hockey First Team pushed league leaders Clitheroe Northern Blackburn to their limits in the latest match.

Despite a 6-3 defeat in the penultimate game of the season, Kendal have been praised for their performance against the leaders.

The team who are captained by Nick Davies caused plenty of problems for the table toppers who going into the game had only lost one league game all season.

Clitheroe made a dominant start and were 2-0 up, however Andrew Melvilles pulled a goal back for Kendal with an unstoppable shot which nestled into the net.

However, Blackburn responded and raced into a 4-1 lead at the half time break as Kendal were left with a mammoth task during the second half.

Kendal responded at the start of the second half and got back into the game through Ewan Galloway whose reverse strike went into the net.

The comeback was seemingly on for the home team when Ayrton Boyd scored with an unstoppable effort which left the visiting keeper stranded.

Kendal missed a good opportunity to score again as their effort went agonisingly wide while the visitors were under increasing pressure.

However, Clitheroe Blackburn restored parity with a clinical finish from a short corner and while Kendal had more opportunities the visitors scored their sixth late onto seal the win.

Kendal travel to Lytham in the final game of the season.

In the other games Kendal Mens Second team defeated Preston Thirds 3-1 with goals from Liam Derome, Jordan Archer, and Reece Irving while the ladies first team drew 1-1 with Kirkby Stephen.

Kendal Men’s seconds travel to play Garstang, while the Ladies First Team are also on the road where the play Brooklands Poynton Seconds and in the final game Kendal Ladies Second team play host to Ambleside Ladies Hockey.