A superb hat-trick from striker Lee Cuffe helped City of York Hockey Club men’s I beat basement side Sheffield University Bankers II 5-3 in North League division one. The away victory ensured second-placed City of York kept pace with leaders Alderley Edge I at the top of the table.

York started in top gear and on two minutes Jack Purrington seized on a rebound from Chris Wilson’s shot to make it 1-0. City of York then had a penalty flick decision relegated to a long corner by the umpires.

The visitors doubled their lead when ’keeper Jon Chappell made a good save and started an attack which led to Cuffe’s first goal.

The home side pulled a goal back before Cuffe scored his second to restore the two-goal margin.

The Bankers reduced the deficit again 20 minutes into the second half from a penalty corner, but Cuffe again responded with a close-range strike from a Wilson cross.

Two minutes later, the game was put of reach when Wilson scored with a spectacular reverse-stick shot from the top of the ‘D’.

The hosts got another goal back and York were hit by a sin-binning, but they held out for a deserved 5-3 victory.

City of York II put their recent poor form behind them with a 3-0 win at Sheffield University Bankers IV in Yorkshire League division one.

York took an early lead through skipper Alex Fletcher and Nick Carter extended the lead in the second half from a short corner strike.

York goalkeeper Jonathan Doyle turned in another man of the match performance to keep the home side out and, on the stroke of full-time, Carter grabbed his second goal.

In the same division, City of York III trounced ten-man Leeds University III 5-1.

City who took the lead with a goal deflected home by Jonny Kilmartin and added a second from a reverse-stick strike by Rob Prentice.

The Leeds side were reduced to eight men by an injury and a yellow card before half-time.

City added another goal in the second half when a well-worked move culminated in a drag-flick from Kilmartin.

York had two players sin-binned, but Kilmartin added two more goals and the students got a consolation.

City of York IV staved off a determined fightback by derby rivals Acomb I to win 4-3 in division three.

A reverse-stick strike from Ben Foster gave City an early lead and they got a second from the penalty spot by Luke Doran. Acomb pulled one back Peter Hilton, but the two-goal margin should have been restored immediately only for skipper Tim Lister to miss an open goal.

Two minutes after, Lister made amends when a fierce shot by Greg Sykes was saved by Acomb ’keeper Steve Church but he put away the rebound.

City added a fourth from a short corner when Tom Norman cracked the ball in from outside the ‘D’ and it was deflected home by Doran. After the break, Acomb got a second goal through Matt Dickenson following an excellent short corner routine.

They added a third from Dickenson with ten minutes to go and although they pressed hard, York managed to hang on.

City of York V suffered a 6-0 defeat at Bradford University I in division five north.

In the same division, City of York VI beat visitors Ben Rhydding V 3-1.

A goal in each half from skipper Neil Reader and one from Ed Marsden sealed the points.

City of York VII were edged out 3--2 at Bradford II in division five north.

York took an early lead with a penalty by Pat Birch, but Bradford soon equalised. Phil Worrall put City back in front, but Bradford were level again at half-time and they snatched the win late on.

City of York VIII had a thoroughly miserable time at Harrogate IV as they lost 8-0 in division six north.

In division seven north, City of York IX went down 4-1 at home to Halifax V, with Tim Downie scoring for the hosts.

Acomb II were 4-2 victors over Boston Spa IV in division seven north.

Ben Pottinger and Rob Kendrew put the Tangerines in control, but Boston Spa pulled a goal back before half-time.

Substitute Paul Yoward added two goals for Acomb before Boston grabbed a late second.

City of York X (Badgers) were 7-1 winners at Bradford Badgers.

Danny Ellwood put York in front and Bradford levelled before Matt Birch and Ellwood made it 3-1 at half-time.

In the second half, City added goals from Ellwood (2), Theo Ainslie and Phil Worrall.