WINDERMERE returned from their Christmas break in top goal-scoring form to defeat West Derby 7-2.

Mere kept their heads in a physical North Division Two West encounter at Lakes School.

Games against the Merseyside team have historically always been competitive and physical, and this was no exception.

But the hosts refused to be ruffled and played some free-flowing, attractive hockey for most of the match to earn a result that keeps the pressure on leaders Brooklands seconds.

Their scorers were Will Dolman (2), vice-captain Tom Maloney, Adam Whitehead, Jake Sorrenson, Isaac Ravenhill and skipper Chris Toward.

Windermere seconds went down 2-1 at Lytham seconds in North West Division Five North.

Mere surprisingly found themselves on the back foot from the start, conceding two well-taken deflection goals.

Seb Flint’s second-half strike reduced the arrears, but it was a stand-out performance by goalkeeper and man-of-the-match Rob Curme that kept the visitors in the game.

Windermere Ladies made up for the agonising 4-3 home defeat at the hands of Longridge seconds by storming the return fixture with a thumping 5-0 win.

Mere started strongly and led 1-0 at the interval after a full-on first-half exchange from both teams.

But in the second half, their tireless support play and hunger for goals overwhelmed a useful Longridge side.

Cat Drury (2), Kitty Brownell (2) and Evie Turner were the scorers for the visitors, with Drury taking the player-of-the-match vote, which could have gone to the whole team for their best overall performance yet in the Central Lancashire Women’s League Premier Division.

Windermere Ladies thirds lost 5-0 at Lancaster Ladies thirds in the Netherwood Development League.