Top-DRAWER defence by City of York I earned them an opening day National Hockey League premier division point at Hull.

Timely tackles by Matt Couttie and Alex Topsfield paid off as York pushed forward at the other end with Richard Adelman creating chance after chance for the York forwards in the 0-0 draw.

A through-ball set Christian Gregg up for a one-on-one with the Hull 'keeper, James Gilbert forced a save from an Adelman cross and Gregg fired over the bar from an Alejandro Lozano pull-back.

Second-half chances from Simon Grey and Lozano put Hull under pressure but the game remained goal-less.

A double double for Kyle Hogg was the highlight of City of York II's 6-0 defeat of St George's I in division two east of the NHL.

Slick passing characterised a smooth York performance with Glyn Humphrey and in-form right-winger Alex Cockram adding the other two between them.

City of York III suffered a Yorkshire division one pounding at Halifax I.

Solid counter-attacking by Halifax saw them go ahead 2-0 at half-time. Two more goals soon after the interval gave them a comfortable cushion - even with a Matt Todd reply from a short corner reducing the deficit - and Halifax piled in another three to make it a somewhat flattering 7-1.

Three second-half goals transformed an almost-certain defeat for City of York IV in Yorkshire division three into a 3-3 draw.

Visitors Leeds University IV unsettled the York side in the first half and ran up a 3-0 lead by half-time. But a fight-back saw Ed Shouksmith, Sam Blackburn and Andy Wilson earn York a share of the points.

City of York V were two up at half-time against Leeds University V through a Stuart Burke double - and stretched it to 4-0 by full time for a comfortable Yorkshire division six win.

A reverse stick sweep by Richard Cockram and one for skipper Greg Sykes completed the scoring.

City of York VI turned up to play Tadcaster II but later discovered that Tadcaster have pulled out of the league due to difficulties raising a team.

Goals from Steve Arthur, Barry Legg, Nick Kay, Doug Walker, James Wallis and Chris Allerton gave City of York VII a fine 6-1 win over Slazengers. City of York VIII were without a game.

A late breakaway goal by Jon Kilmartin secured maximum points for City of York IX in Yorkshire division ten east at Gainsborough Roses.

Roses twice went in front and a Michael Samsoni short corner and Tom Feasby penalty stroke levelled it up before the late winner.

City of York 'C' beat Wakefield 3-1 in the YHL 'C' Team Cup first round with goals from Richard Tanner-Smith, Greg Sykes and Ben Hildreth.

A quality passing move sent City of York Veterans through to the second round of the National Veterans Trophy after beating Chester 1-0.

A niggly affair with close escapes at both ends was settled when a move started by Dave Rowlands was finished via a one-two between scorer Neil Collinson and Graham Cook.

University of strife

City of York Ladies' poor start to the North League season continued as they lost 4-1 at Durham University.

Lacking cohesion, York were two goals behind before Pam Rowbottom scored early in the second half.

But, despite sterling work by Lorraine Pearey and 'keeper Dawn Hopkins, York were unable to prevent the students scoring twice more to seal victory.

In division four, City of York Ladies III lost 4-1 at Heckmondwike, Sarah Hughes scoring York's goal.

The one bright spot was the 1-1 draw by City of York Ladies IV at home to Salendine Nook.

Trish Shaw scored York's goal in the first-half but a second-half equaliser for the visitors halted York's 14-game winning run.

Updated: 08:54 Tuesday, October 11, 2005