WINDERMERE hosted Ambleside on Sunday for their first Cumbria League fixture of 2005.

This local derby is traditionally hard fought with both teams playing some determined hockey and this game was no exception.

Right from the start Ambleside pushed forward passing the ball decisively and creating chances.

In the 10th minute they were awarded a penalty flick when a deflected shot from a penalty corner was stopped on the line by the body of a defender. Amanda Faulkner calmly slotted the flick into the goal, wide of Rosemary Wadmore's left side.

Five minutes later Faulkner scored again, sending a cleanly-struck penalty corner crashing the ball on to the backboard Ambleside were riding high and at yet another penalty corner Faulkner completed her hat-trick when her shot was too hot for the defence to handle as it ricocheted in off a couple of defenders.

Although Ambleside were 3-0 up inside 20 minutes, Windermere did have some attacks and started to even out the play.

Carole Quill made the initial shot on goal, from which Karen Scott ensured that the ball found the back of the net.

Windermere continued to put the Ambleside defence under pressure and a rebounded shot from Helen Telford saw Katie Hoyle convert Windermere's second goal.

Ambleside replied with a fourth goal. From a break, Nicola Conway received the ball at the edge of the circle, and created the time and space to unleash an unstoppable shot to the right post.

The second half was more even with a lot of midfield play. Both teams had chances to add to the score line but fine defensive work and goalkeeping kept the score as a 4-2 win to Ambleside.

For Ambleside, Ruth Finlay and Hazel Jones had solid games in defence, while Caley Parnell and Janet Faulkner did a lot of running in midfield, as did Louise Hartley and Nicola Conway up front.

Windermere's defenders Phillipa Jones, Alison Spiby, Fiona Wood and Helen Parsons soaked up plenty of pressure, goalkeeper Rosemary Wadmore made good saves and midfielder Shona Taylor worked tirelessly.

n In a fast-paced Netherwood League clash between the sides at Ambleside, Windermere ran out 3-1 winners.

Ambleside enjoyed some good opportunities in the first half but Kelly Williams was unable to beat the defence with several good shots from penalty corners.

At the other end, young Ambleside keeper Bryoni Bland made good saves but Windermere went ahead to lead 1-0 at half time.Williams beat a couple of defenders to fire in an unstoppable shot to level the scores for Ambleside, but Windermere replied and added two goals in three minutes and maintained their two-goal advantage to the end Windermere's scorers were Laura Howarth, Nikki Maloney and Chelsea Daley.

Ailsa Wright and Lauren Belk had solid games in defence for Ambleside, the former taking her side's player-point while Nikki Maloney was awarded the point for Windermere.