Canterbury Ladies made a stunning start to their Investec National Premier Division campaign with a superb opening-day victory at reigning champions Reading.

After a goalless first-half on Saturday afternoon, the new-look city club opened the scoring through Anna Baker eight minutes after the turnaround.

New arrival and Scotland international Nikki Kidd doubled the advantage on her debut with a penalty corner conversion with eight minutes to go and despite Elspeth Cockburn halving the deficit on 67 minutes to set up a frantic finale, the visitors held on for a memorable victory.

Canterbury’s men did not enjoy the same success when they took to the field at Reading immediately afterwards in their NOW Pensions National Premier Division clash.

The hosts took the lead eight minutes before the break through Andy Watts and the crucial second arrived just two minutes after half-time from Nick Catlin.

Ben Allberry’s strike on 52 minutes gave the visitors hope but with five minutes remaining, Harry Slater made the points safe from a penalty corner.