YORK netball giants Civil Service I's amazing unbeaten run is over.

Haxby 2 pulled off the shock result of the season when they beat the York and District League champions 29-28.

In their 27-year history Civil Service 1 have only been beaten twice, by now disbanded team KROY, in the mid and late eighties.

In 1997 Haxby I gave them a run for their money with a 28-28 but that was the last time any side in the York League have taken a point off them.

A representative from Service, Margi Charlson said "It had to come. We have been unbeaten in this league for too long,and champions for 27 years. It is good to see the standard of netball in the first division is improving.

"I'm not sure if we will get beaten again this season, with key players mising through pregnancy and injuries which may keep them out for a while. It certainly makes the League more interesting."

The Haxby 2 squad who faced a team with four regular members missing went into a first quarter leading 8-6.

Service's Sheriden Hutchinson then came on to replace Anna Evans and they changed their playing positions, but they were unable to cope with a well organised side, especially 17-year-old goal shooter Helen Birdsall and Haxby increased their lead to 18-11.

Service had a much better third quarter, scoring nine goals to Haxby's four and the final quarter saw some good play from both teams as Haxby managed to hang on to a narrow victory.

The victorious Haxby squad comprised Helen Birdsall, Emma Caywood, captain Linda Norton, Yvonne Petruso, Sarah Denham, Alison Brewster and third team member Marion Willis.Civil Service squad: Sam Ellison, Jenni Fearnley, Angela Hetherton, Sheriden Hutchinson, Anna Evans, Caroline Jay, and Service 2 players Francesca Jones and Caroline Smith.

Ladybirds 'A' remain the only unbeaten team in league and they tackle Civil Service 1 tonight at Haxby (7.30pm).

Updated: 14:24 Tuesday, January 22, 2002