Depleted City of York Hockey Club I suffered a disappointing 5-3 defeat at Alderley Edge despite an improved NHL premier division display.

Edge, bolstered by an Australian under-21 international, went ahead, but City responded and James Gilbert's strong runs down the left paid off as Nick Carter converted a short corner.

Another short corner saw Olly Couttie put York in front. But York's confident play came undone with three more Alderley goals before half-time.

Carter struck home a vicious short corner but in the search for an equaliser, City were penalised for a hard tackle and Alderley made no mistake.

Weak defending and tough luck combined to send City of York II down 4-1 at home to Norton I in division two (East).

A harsh penalty put Norton in front and sloppy defending let them in for a second before Chris Dutton pulled one back before half-time.

But Paul O'Connell was sent off and Norton grabbed a third, adding a fourth from a late short corner.

Tom Rowlands was the hero for City of York III after standing in at the last minute to help his side to a 1-0 defeat of Normanby Park I in Yorkshire division one.

Rowlands had been due to play for the VII team but was called in when Adrian Nye pulled a stomach muscle warming up and went on to win the man of the match award after Ian Wiggins netted the only goal of the game in the dying minutes.

Thoughts of an even game for City of York IV in division four were soon dashed as Normanby Park II folded when Andy Wilson put York in front.

Malcolm Cossey added two, Chris Allerton three and Ben Foster, Laurence Thornton and Jamie Tough one each in the 9-1 win.

Tom Sorby fired City of York V ahead against Gainsborough Roses II in Yorkshire Five but Roses turned the tables and went 3-1 up, making it four when a York player retaliated to niggling abuse and was sent off.

City of York VI had a real day to remember as they whipped 21 goals past Bradford University to lift them above bitter rivals York St John in division seven on goal difference.

Les Reed hit a club record 11, Greg Sykes (4), Alex Herriott (2), Clive Mills-Hicks (2) and one apiece for Stuart Burke and Ben Milson.

City of York VIII beat three weeks of cancellations to record their first win of the division ten season against Rotherham VI.

Josh Bolton scored the only goal of the game after a devastating solo run.

Updated: 10:44 Tuesday, November 30, 2004