SMART attack and stirring defensive play secured the win needed by Acomb Hockey Club men’s first team to capture the Yorkshire League division four north title.

After Tadcaster Magnets had beaten Boston Spa 4-0, Acomb had to beat Harrogate I to secure the championship.

They duly did but not without a few alarms in a five-goal thriller in which their 3-0 lead was pegged back.

Starting brightly, Acomb scored from their fourth penalty corner, Jamie Robinson firing in a rebound. Soon after, Dave Richardson hammered the ball home.

Acomb came under severe pressure forcing keeper Craig Brown into several fine saves, while centre-back Paul Kellett made a great last-ditch tackle before man of the match Robinson slapped in his second goal.

Rather than roll over, Harrogate upped the tempo and pulled two goals back just before half-time.

Harrogate still kept the pressure on and Matt Dickenson and Stu Baxter impressed in midfield.

After sustaining what turned out be a fractured finger, left-back Simon Theaker was forced to retire early, prompting a reshuffle in which centre-back Dave Bell and right-back Dave Brown each excelled.

Both sides continued to push forward, but Acomb clung on to win the title by one point.

Meanwhile, City of York men’s III went nap to wrap up their Yorkshire League division two campaign, beating Normanby Park I 5-1.

Keeper Brian Ignjatovic initially made several impressive saves, while defenders Craig Ferguson, Dave Rogers, Sam Baker and Joe Moisley remained defiant.

Against the run of play York went ahead through Rob Prentice, but were soon pegged back.

In the closing exchanges of the first half, Alex Herriott pounced on a loose ball in the D to net.

York displayed greater composure in the second half and Danny Vaughan swept the ball in.

Ollie Sanderson scored after seizing on an aerial pass from Rogers, who hit the fifth from a penalty flick after Joe Lancaster’s mazy run - beating three defenders and rounding the keeper - ended in him being tripped.

Lancaster, Sanderson and Ignjatovic shared the man of the match honours.

City of York VI suffered a dismal finish losing 1-0 to Halifax in a scrappy division five north encounter, while in the same division City of York VII conceded their game against Airedale II.

City of York ladies III were given a 3-0 Yorkshire League division two win after Garforth I conceded, while City of York IV’s clash against Brigg II was cancelled by mutual consent.

City of York ladies V beat Halifax IV 6-1 in Yorkshire League division seven north with goals from Lily Rowntree (3), Trish Shaw (2) and Karis Hayes, while City of York VI sealed promotion from the same division after a 1-1 draw at Selby II, where player of the season Rebecca Feetenby was the ace scorer.