KENDAL Ladies had to settle for a point as they drew 1-1 with Chester in the first home game of the North Hockey Woman League Premier Division.

Kendal, who suffered relegation last season, were looking to bounce back from the 3-0 defeat at Leeds on the opening day.

The early exchanges of the first half were relatively uneventful as neither side could work their way through on goal as both sides showed a lot of good defensive play.

However Chester went in front on 14 minutes after some pressure resulted in a penalty, which Fran Hughes flicked home past Fiona Battersby.

The goal brought Kendal to life as they built up constant pressure, with lots of opportunities on goal going begging.

Vicky Atkinson,Vicky Jones and Scarlett Dale all went close before Kate Froggatt had various opportunities to score.

Eventually Kendal got the deserved equaliser as Holly Keelan scored from an acute angle after finishing off some good work by Froggatt.

In the second half it was one way traffic as Kendal were rampant but the Chester goalkeeper was on top form to deny a dominating Kendal side and in the end time ran out as Kendal had to settle for the draw.