City of York Hockey Club’s ‘A’-team fared the best as part of a three-team Under-12s’ contingent from the club in the latest Yorkshire Youth League tournament at Halifax.

Defending their position at the top of the league, the ‘A’-team started with an opening match against Wakefield. Play started slowly but there was good strong defence before Wakefield scored a breakaway goal, which ultimately proved the winner.

Next up against Rotherham, York struggled to find form and, despite some good tackling from Becca Birch and Merry Foster, ended the game 3-0 losers.

But the best was to come now from the leading City ranks. Early in the tie against Slazengers, Katherine Birch scored from a break prompted by Foster.

Confidence grew and they played some good hockey, and, with Fiona Hunter excelling in goal, her reward was a clean sheet and York’s first victory by a single-goal margin.

There was more excellent goalkeeping by Hunter and stout defending by Alex Newton and Helen Megone in York’s encounter against Doncaster.

Annabel Fawcett was prominent in midfield and the team were rewarded by goals from Lauren Ellwood and Foster to seal a 2-0 triumph.

York were then dealt a three-match break as the other teams played, but despite the cold there was great team effort in the final game where the girls played well to eke out a 1-1 draw with Harrogate.

Foster scored her second goal of the day and the last of the ‘A’-team league.

Millie Grant volunteered to take the goalie pads first for the York ‘B’ team, but despite some excellent kicking, supported by good defensive play by Katie Harrison, Thea Davies and Sally Hicks, they lost 3-0 to a strong Sheffield side.

Izzy Hall, Chloe Burdass and Emily Williams had chances but failed to find the back of the net. Goal-keeping pads were swapped throughout the day but inexperience meant they failed to keep a clean sheet with further defeats to Hull (1-0), Ben Rhydding (3-0), Halifax (1-0) and LA Carnegie (1-0).

In the ‘C’ league programme, the four York players were teamed with two from Halifax and some borrowed goalkeepers to post a reasonably successful session. They drew their first game 0-0 with Slazengers and then won their next two – lashing Leeds 3-0 and ousting Ben Rhydding 1-0.

Becky O’Keefe played well up front with Anna Clarke shining in midfield.

Anna Kilmartin put in exceptional efforts in defence and cleared the ball many times, while the rearguard action was well supported by Georgina McKenzie.

Unfortunately those efforts took their toll and the girls lost their final game 2-0 against Kirklees.