DERBY honours proved even in the clash between City of York Hockey Club VI and Tadcaster Magnets II.

The division five north duel at York's Energise Centre ended 2-2, but for the York ranks the share-all was yet again evidence of the blend of experience and youth that bodes well for the second half of the campaign when it resumes in the new year.

Certainly the side showed character on derby duty twice coming back from conceding strikes to the visitors by countering with goals from the trickery of leading predator Paul Rowntree.

Said VI captain Andy Potts: "It's a really good mix in the team of older players and some promising youngsters.

"The older lads are very supportive to the youngsters, who are also benefitting from a solid standard of competitive action."

Potts, who moved up from the City of York VII side to lead the VI ranks this season, explained that the team regularly fields two 14-year-olds and a 15-year-old in Callum Ross, Callum Green and Jack Harrington.

"I am sure they will all go on to become good players in any of the club's first three teams in the next year or so,"enthused the skipper.

"They certainly seem to be enjoying the season and even though we are just below mid-table we can see ourselves advancing more during the rest of the campaign."