WINDERMERE Men con-firmed their position as NW Division Nine (North) leaders with a resounding 6-0 victory over Southport at Troutbeck Bridge Saturday.

It took Windermere a while to settle, but once they did Southport were left chasing shadows as the ball was worked around them. Steve Heynes opened the scoring from a short corner, then a sweeping right wing move was finished at close range by Ed Waterhouse and, right on half-time, a kick off the line gave Windermere a penalty flick from which Heynes bagged his second goal.

Almost from the restart, Mike Hodgson raced through a flat-footed Southport rearguard to fire past the advancing goalkeeper and Scott Santamera put the game completely beyond Southport's reach with a fifth before Ed Waterhouse eagerly scooped up his second goal at close range with the Southport in disarray.

n Windermere's Sunday Association side lost 2-0 to a Carlisle team after conceding both goals from first half short corners.

A battling, yet disjointed, performance saw Winder-mere's youthful line-up create several chances in the second half but a frustrating loss of possession at key moments ensured victory for the visitors.

n KENDAL'S fixture with newly-relegated St Helens was cancelled in NW Division Five (North) on Saturday.

Under league rules, St Helens should have three points deducted and pay Kendal's expenses for the fixture. The game should then be replayed within 15 days.

As every Saturday until December is already taken by league fixtures, however, the game will probably have to be replayed on a Sunday.

For those with family or other commitments, it can be hard to find the time to play on both days, with Kendal running the risk of not being able to raise a strong enough team and possibly losing the game.

That would leave both Kendal and St Helens with no points effectively lost or gained, despite Kendal having been prepared to play twice.

North West hockey league information officer Peter Wharton said the automatic three-nil loss imposed on teams cancelling a fixture was something that had been used in the past but could pose problems. He said goal difference could be crucial at the end of a season so a three-nil automatic result might not be fair.

n AMBLESIDE Ladies had a well-earned Cumbria League victory over Netherhall at Cockermouth.

A well-worked penalty corner led to Amanda and Janet Faulkner combined to set up Sue Conway to open the scoring. Nicola Conway added a second when she collected the ball near the Netherhall goalpost, rode two challenges and forced the ball over.

Ambleside wing-defender Caley Parnell and Sheelagh Newell had to keep their wits about them as Netherhall made some quick counter-attacks. However, Ambleside pressure wore down their opponents in the second half, bringing a number of penalty corners for persistent stick tackling. From one of these, Nicola Conway's shot was saved but Amie Davidson tucked in the rebound from an acute angle.

Young Ailsa Wright made a fine first-half debut at sweeper and Louise Hartley, Janet Faulkner and Sue Conway all had good games.

n KIRKBY Stephen travelled to Ulverston on Sunday to take on Barrow and earned a hard-fought 2-1 win. Both teams started strongly and created chances but were unable to break the deadlock up to half time.

Regaining their composure, Kirkby reasserted in the second half and with good work across the midfield Kirkby forced several penalty corners.

A great strike from Lisa Potter was saved by the Barrow keeper, but only for Sarah Bowman to calmly slot away to make it 1-0.

Barrow reacted to the goal, and only moments later equalised with a fine attacking movement from the strikers.

But a determined Kirkby continued to work hard. Mel Earl taking a free hit from deep in there own half found a great run from Ruth Lawler. Lawler then slotted the ball through to youngster Kim Balmer to take on the keeper and score to seal victory.

n KENDAL Ladies got back on the winning trail after last week's draw with a 5-0 Cumbria League victory at Dalston.

Excellent passing and moving featured in a first-half display by the visitors that could be a bit complacent occasionally but they took a 2-0 lead to half-time.

A Sarah Brooks strike opened the scoring after Kendal had gone close from several short corners and a second goal followed when Andrea Elvey crossed to the back post for Sarah Dent to slot home.

Elvey scored in the second half and there were further scores from Alice Mullin amd Vickey Jones, who atoned for a penalty-flick miss.

There was excellent work in midfield from Sarah Dent, Nicola Martindale and Jo Martin, while Claire Howarth and Claire Martin defended soundly throughout.

n ULVERSTON Ladies are still searching for a first win of the season after a 2-0 home defeat by Windermere in the Cumbria League.

Better structure to Ulverston's attack saw the ball worked out from defence and forwards Kate Wright, Lynn Fitzwilliam and Paula Eddy linked well.

Neither side could manage a breakthrough in a scoreless first half and injuries to Carolyn Metcalfe, who struggled on with a calf complaint, and to Claire Grace, forcing her exit, did not help substitute-less Ulverston in the second half.

As the momentum of the home team slackened they began to sit deeper in defence. Windermere took advantage to go ahead and there were then a couple of debatable umpiring decisions which might have led to a different result if they had gone Ulverston's way. Instead the visitors added another shortly before the full-time whistle.

n Windermere Ladies travelled to Glaxo for their first fixture of the Netherwood League.

With a squad of 13 players, eight of aged between 13 and 18, Windermere produced a productive and promising start to their season, winning 4-2.

Windermere were quick to score when mother and daughter team Carole and Layla Quill penetrated the D and from a well-executed cross from Layla, mum Carole pushed the ball into the net.

Glaxo fought back and scored from twice from well-taken short corners.

The second-half saw Windermere determined and focused and excellent defending and calm distribution by youngsters Ellie McEwan, Jessica Jeffries and Chloe Fields allowed the midfield to run at the Glaxo defence.

Chelsea Daley again proved a menace on the left and Katy Hoyle jinxed the Glaxo backs to score two solo goals.

Shona Taylor, new to a forward role, played havoc in the D and sealed victory with goal number four.