Ambleside Ladies Hockey Club were defeated 4-1 by Wigton at The Cinder Ovens playing surface in Kendal.

Prior to the game, both teams held a minutes silence in memory of former hockey and cricket umpire David Armitage who passed on Wednesday. Armitage was also a close friend and the welfare officer for Ambleside Hockey Club.

Wigton, who were third in the table, started the game well while Ambleside chased every ball and defended their D with purpose.

However, the visitors were largely in control and created opportunities through Megan Cook and Kelly Baxter.

Ambleside continued to defend well while goalkeeper Caroline Cropper made a number of key stops to deny the visitors.

Wigton opened the scoring midway through the first half after a well worked move was placed into the net by Jade Jackson. Jackson got onto the end of a good pass before finishing the ball past Cropper in the Ambleside goal.

Ambleside, desperate for the equaliser, applied some pressure in the attacking third, but the hosts defended well and saw off the attacking threat.

Wigton scored the crucial second goal on the stroke of half time when Zoe Irving finished from close range. The goal came at the worst possible time for Ambleside who were slowly working their way back into the game.

The hosts pressed Wigton back at the start of the second half while Jess Young and Maddie Townson forced a number of key stops out of the keeper.

However, with Ambleside on the attack, Wigton caught the hosts out on the counter before a clinical through ball fell to Rachel Wood at the post who drilled the ball past the keeper.

Ambleside continued to play well despite the score line, and were rewarded for their efforts when Sheelagh Conlin tapped the ball into the net from a well worked penalty corner.

Wigton finished the game off from another counter attack when Claire Wilson scored as the visitors ran out 4-1 winners.

Ambleside travel to play South Lakes on Saturday.