CITY of York I's poor recent run continued as they were thumped 4-0 by relegation-threatened Ben Rhydding in the Northern Hockey League.

The Ilkley-based club gained ample revenge for defeat at the hands of York earlier in the season but could have gone behind after five minutes when dazzling inter-passing between James Gilbert and Fozzie Foster carved out a chance for Richard Jenkins, but his effort was ruled out. The umpire judged the ball had been deflected en route by Gilbert's foot.

Ben Rhydding made the most of their luck to score from a couple of short corners and any chance they had of rescuing a point vanished when a York player was yellow carded.

Two more short corners finished off a below-par injury-hit York, whose season has drifted badly since the New Year.

Harrogate clinched the title when they beat Sheffield University Bankers 3-2 at Granby School, Reg Thomas netting the winner with five minutes left.

Harrogate will play in the revamped national league next year while Bankers missed promotion for the second straight season.

Like their first team, City of York II have also gone off course since Christmas when they were looking like NHL Division Two East title contenders.

Decimated by first-team call-ups York II lost 4-2 at home to promotion-chasing Stockton I, the visitors snatching victory late on when York ran out of steam.

York had just a bare XI to call upon but started brightly and went ahead through Kyle Hogg.

Five minutes later Stockton levelled with a drag flick from a penalty corner.

Matt Fletcher teed-up John Raper to fire York ahead again but they faded in the closing stages when they had no substitutes to call upon.

Stockton levelled from a short corner, then went ahead when a strike went through the legs of 'keeper Ashley Watson. With three minutes left Stockton sealed victory with their fourth goal.

City of York III clinched promotion to Yorkshire League division two with a thrilling 4-3 derby victory over York University I.

It was a fiesty top-of-the table affair played at a fast tempo.

Jason Bemrose fired City ahead, but the students equalised before half-time. Ali Brennan restored the club side's lead, but the university levelled once more.

Two goals in quick succession by Benrose and Peter Perryman gave City a 4-2 advantage, but the students refused to buckle and with two minutes left their pressure was rewarded with a goal.

Experienced defender Graham Cook was outstanding for York, who hung on to take top spot.

City of York IV came from 2-0 and 3-1 down to win 4-3 at West Yorkshire Police I in division five thanks to goals by Simon Williams, Chris Smalley, Sam Blackburn and David Cook.

City of York V boosted their division seven promotion hopes with a 3-1 win in a bad-tempered game at Boston Spa III. Goals by David de Silva (2) and David Rowlands did the trick.

York VI inched from the division eight relegation zone by winning 4-2 at home to Boston Spa IV.

The visitors led 2-1 at one stage but York won thanks to goals from Ben Foster, Neal Reeder, Adam Saltonstall and Oliver Scully.

James Still scored for City of York VII in their 2-1 division nine defeat at Sheffield Hallam VII.

Goals by Greg Sykes, Andy Dent and Patrick Herriott saw City of York VIII gain revenge for a heavy defeat earlier in the season at the hands of Kingston-upon-Hull with a 3-1 victory in a club game.

New Dawn burns bright for hosts

AFTER two away defeats in the North League, City of York Ladies returned to winning ways with a 1-0 success at home to Blackburn.

Despite being without the injured Lorraine Pearey and Karen Howells, York had the upper hand for much of the first half, the vital goal coming early when Sam Binns' tenth-minute long corner was steered expertly into the Blackburn net by Sally Sleightholme.

But York were indebted to 'keeper Dawn Hopkins at the end of the half when she combined with Paula Clough to prevent what seemed a certain Blackburn equaliser.

As the visitors came more into the game after the break, Hopkins was called into action to make several saves and, while Sleightholme and Mandy Nesbit both went close for York, the 'keeper took the honours when she saved a penalty stroke ten minutes from time to give York the points.

With three games remaining, York look set for a mid-table finish in the ten-team league.

In division two of the Yorkshire League, City of York Ladies II were awarded an automatic 3-0 win when Leeds University II failed to raise a team.

City of York Ladies III had a 3-2 division five win at third-placed Colne Valley III.

York's captain, Ruth Chapman, led the side well and they were never behind, Becky Copperthwaite scoring twice in the first half before Sarah Hughes added the third goal after the break.

In division six, two goals apiece by Laura Heaps and Heather Stafford put City of York Ladies IV in early command at home to LA Metros IV as they then coasted to a 4-0 win.

Acomb Ladies II lost 5-2 against Ben Rhydding, Alison Benson and Wendy Quarrie scoring for Acomb.

Nestl Rowntree gave a good team performance to beat Stillington 4-0 in the Costcutter League.

Kate Kelly scored Nestl's first after a great through pass by Margi Charlson and Julie Moore made it 2-0 before half-time.

Nestl forced several short corners but were unable to convert any of them, but they went further ahead through Geraldine Fogg while Charlson completed the scoring.

Park strife hits Acomb

ACOMB'S hopes of transferring their successful Yorkshire League division two home record to the road were left in tatters as they were thumped 4-0 at Normanby Park.

Despite a fine display by Simon Theaker and 'keeper Jim Craggs, Acomb paid the price for making basic errors and Park took full advantage when the Tangeries were reduced to ten men after a sin-binning.

It was the reverse story for Acomb II who beat Ben Rydding V 4-0 to keep up their promotion push from division one.

Andy Lovett and Dave Richardson scored twice each, net-minder Matt Radford saved a penalty flick and David Quarrie excelled in the sweeper role.

Goals by Ian Roberton and Pete Hilton gave Acomb's mixed ranks a 2-1 win over Wakefield II.

Tadcaster I enjoyed a well-deserved 3-1 win over LA Metros V in YL division five.

Ben Coates set up Ben Preston for the opener before Mike Smith scored his first goal in two seasons to make it 2-0. Metros pulled a goal back but Preston's solo effort near the end wrapped up Tadcaster's victory.

Updated: 09:39 Tuesday, March 16, 2004