Hockey: York Men's I leave it late before grabbing victory in Gryphons thriller (From York Press)

Hockey: York Men's I leave it late before grabbing victory in Gryphons thriller

10:29am Tuesday 2nd October 2012 in Sport

A LATE goal from Ben Bull earned City of York Hockey Club Men’s I a thrilling 6-5 victory at home to Leeds Gryphons in their opening North League premier division fixture.

There were four goals in the opening 12 minutes of a high quality match as York traded blows with their visitors, formerly the University of Leeds. The home side forced a penalty corner after two minutes and Rich Jenkin converted with a low flick.

Leeds hit back immediately with a spectacular shot into the roof of the net from the edge of the circle and they went ahead from the penalty spot when a penalty corner shot struck defender Paul Hemsley on the line.

Rich Cockram then picked up a through ball from the excellent Mike Carter and beat the Leeds ’keeper from close range to make it 2-2.

Leeds managed to edge ahead towards the end of the first half and extended their lead early in the second half after a mix up in the City defence. Jenkin scored his second from a penalty corner to reduce the arrears but then received a yellow card.

Despite being reduced to nine men for a short period, York won a penalty corner and Carter tied the scores. A Leeds penalty corner goal made it 5-4, but York stepped up a gear when they returned to full strength, led by man of the match Ben Bull and Alex Cockram.

Jenkin completed his hat-trick and with less than five minutes remaining Leeds had two players yellow-carded which gave Bull the chance to grab the winner from a final penalty corner.

A poor second half showing saw City of York II consigned to a 3-2 defeat at Kingston-upon-Hull II in Yorkshire League division one.

A deflected shot put the home side in front but York pulled level when captain Alex Fletcher produced a superb lobbed finish.

York conceded a sloppy goal early in the second half and Hull made it 3-1 from a penalty corner.

With two minutes left, City pulled a goal back when a free hit was deflected in for an own goal.

City of York III took four points from their weekend double-header in division two.

They had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Chapeltown II on Saturday. Trailing 1-0 at the interval, York hit back with a goal from Matt Hayes.

The following day, City were 8-2 winners at home to Leeds University IV as they went top of the table.

Tim Lister opened the scoring with a sublime strike and Ben Foster made it 2-0. Rob Prentice and Matt Tipper also netted in a frantic 20-minute spell.

Leeds scored before half-time but Prentice made it 5-1 and, although Leeds clawed another goal back, the rout was completed by Hayes, an own goal and Foster. Tom Norman was man of the match.

City of York IV lost 6-3 at Sheffield Hallam V in division three. Rob Chamberlin, Zach Moore and Ben Foster were the scorers.

In division five north, City of York V hit back from 4-1 down to draw 5-5 with City of York VI.

Nick Carter gave the fifths the lead, but they trailed to goals from Jordan Waugh, Patrick Herriott and Will Broadbent. The sixths scored two more goals but a Mark Moisley hat-trick and a Matt Todd goal ensured a draw.

City of York VII trounced Ben Rhydding 5-0 in division six north.

York took the lead with a goal from Harry Heyes, which was quickly followed up with a strike by Jonny Kilmartin. Elliott Kimberley and Will Bowen (2) also netted late in the second half to ensure a comfortable victory.

City of York VIII were 3-0 winners over their City of York IX club-mates in division seven.

The victors played solid counter-attacking hockey and opened the scoring with a fine goal from Danny Vaughan.

Tom Starbuck brilliantly saved a penalty flick and Solanki scored on the rebound for the eighths. Robson made it 3-0.

Acomb I lost 2-0 at Ben Rhydding IV in division four, while Acomb II were 2-1 winners at home to Leeds Adel Carnegie V in division six north.