A THRILLING Yorkshire derby and eight goals saw City of York Hockey Club men's firsts draw 4-4 with Leeds.

Leeds applied heavy pressure during the first ten minutes of the game and were rewarded after a ball into the D was deflected in at the far post.

York responded in similar fashion ten minutes later, this time with a diving deflection by Alex Cockram. The scores remained equal going into half-time, although the away side ended it with ten men due to a yellow card four minutes before the end.

Things were a lot more exciting after the break with York taking a deserved lead while still only having ten men on the pitch.

Tom Feasby picked up the ball at the top of the York D and dribbled past several Leeds players before off-loading to Matt Guy at the top of the Leeds D. He played the ball back to Feasby for a diving reverse deflection into the far corner.

Leeds equalised five minutes later after a short corner was not adequately cleared and then went on to take the lead after a quick break outnumbered York.

York went down to ten men again and Leeds went 4-2 up from the resulting short corner.

But the away side remained spirited and pulled a goal back through Ben Bull, who intercepted a Leeds sideline hit and powerfully struck into the goal from the top of the D.

With only two minutes remaining, and with both sides having chances to score more, it was York who drew level as Ben Bull again deflected from a short corner.

City of York 2 lost 4-2 when Leeds visited Huntington School despite an improved showing.

They had a far from ideal start, however, when a clear foot from a Leeds attacker was ignored by the umpire and the visitors capitalised on a 3-on-1 break to go in front in the opening minutes.

Leeds were working hard up front but were being stifled by City's defence and the game was devoid of clear chances until Leeds doubled their lead four minutes before the break.

The visitors dominated possession but York showed great resolve to match their opponents and they were back in the game with 20 minutes left when James Fitton's effort from a rebound at a short corner was stopped on the line with the keeper grounded.

A penalty stroke was awarded which Dave Rogers squeezed past the keeper.

With tails up and Leeds looking stunned, City levelled when Pat Herriott netted from a penalty corner.

Parity, though, lasted only a minute. A Leeds forward rocketed an effort into the top corner to make it 3-2 and they were able to add a game clinching fourth a few minutes later.

City of York 4 beat Sheffield Hallam 5s 5-0.

A Greg Sykes hat-trick topped off a dominant performance. First half goals from Russell Bowry and Henry Wilson helped make it 3-1 at half time.