RUSTY Deeside Ramblers had to settle for a share of the spoils as they began the defence of their national league title.

The reigning Conference North kings drew 1-1 at home to Leek on Sunday thanks to Mark Cookson’s equaliser and an heroic performance from Russell Hornby.

The Staffordshire visitors broke the deadlock in the 15th minute but were pegged back seven minutes later when Cookson netted.

Ghazanfar Ali went close to putting the hosts in front, but it was Leek who finished the stronger and had it not been for a missed penalty stroke and the efforts of star man Hornby, they would have left Tarporley with the points in the bag.

Deeside 2nds, meanwhile, caused a shock the previous afternoon by winning their Cheshire Cup clash at home to City of Manchester 1-0. Callum Guy’s exquisite first-half finish settled matters.

In Phil Winward’s last game in charge before handing over the skipper’s armband to Ed Lowe, Ramblers 3rds produced a battling performance in going down 5-3 in their final pre-season encounter at Preston 3rds. Ed Peel (2) and Guy Fennell reduced the deficit.

Piers Fielding, Lucas Pollard and Richard Jones scored goals to remember for Deeside 4ths in their 8-3 home loss to Preston 3rds while Jordan Brown, Tim Bearcroft and John Aicken impressed as the club’s 7ths were beaten 3-0 at home by Preston 5ths.

There were mixed fortunes for two Chester Hockey Club women’s teams when they got their seasons under way on Saturday.

In spite of a brace of goals from Sian Tomlin, Chester Ladies 2nds lost 3-2 at home to Northop Hall Ladies in Cheshire Women’s League Division Two. But inspired by star girl Becky Newmarch, the 3rds romped to a 6-0 success at Bebington in Division Four with Sarah Mallion (2), Ellie Mellor (2) and Karen Owens (2) sharing the strikes.

Teams from Chester’s men’s section were busy putting the finishing touches to their pre-season preparations on the same afternoon.

The 2nds went down 3-1 at home to Oxton 2nds as the 3rds had to settle for a 2-2 draw with visiting Oxton 4ths.

Chester 4ths won 2-1 at Prescot 2nds, courtesy of efforts from the evergreen Carl Lee and Richard Nicholas, while the 5ths gave Roger Thompson a good send off before moving to Hong Kong with work by producing a spirited showing in their 4-2 defeat to Oxton 5ths. Jon Feeney (2) was on target for the visitors with 14-year-old goalkeeper Ollie Church their man of the match.