CITY of York showed further signs of improvement despite losing to leaders Leeds in the North Hockey Men's League premier division.

With only one win to show from their first nine games, York were always going to find it hard against a side that had dropped only two points all season.

But, on a chilly Saturday afternoon, they dominated possession for long periods and peppered the Leeds circle with some excellent skill and passing play.

Tom Feasby and Alex Cockram looked dangerous on the ball and forced a number of short corners.

However, Leeds still took the lead, finishing from their second short corner of the game.

York drew level when Feasby combined with Jack Purrington to set up Freddie Heijbroek whose powerful shot beat the goalkeeper.

Leeds began to take control after the break and York were not helped by some misplaced passes and sloppy decision making. Two further goals gave Leeds a 3-1 victory but York will take heart from the performance.

York II returned to the bottom of the Yorkshire Men's Hockey League premier division table after a 4-2 defeat away at Sheffield University Bankers III.

There was little to choose between the two sides but Sheffield took advantage of some sloppy defending to take a 2-0 interval lead.

York fell further behind before goals from Patrick Herriott and Tim Lister led a spirited fightback.

But Sheffield put the game beyond reach on a break away attack four minutes from the end.

York IIIs were taught a lesson by Sheffield University Bankers as they were defeated 8-2.

City found themselves three down in the first 15 minutes as Sheffield made the most of their chances.

But the home side stayed positive and got two goals back – the first neatly converted by Mark Little and the second followed when Butchart scored at the back post from a Hugh Richards pass.

However, their hard work was undone when Sheffield score twice at the start of the second half, leaving City chasing the game.

A combination of poor possession and decision-making gifted Sheffield chances which they made the most of, scoring three more goals to run out convincing winners.

York IVs faced high-flying Brigg, and keeper Sam Robbins was immediately required to make some sharp saves to keep the scores level.

Brigg did take the lead however when their striker slotted home. York equalised through Ollie Moore, but Brigg went into the break 2-1 ahead when their attacker netted.

York pressed hard for an equaliser in the closing stages of the game, but were unable to force the ball home.

York Vs were outplayed and outfought for much of their 7-0 defeat to Leeds Adel IIs. Flyn Mullins battled valiantly up front but didn't receive enough support.

York VIs got the boost they needed in their clash with Scarborough when Graham Cook fired home between the keeper's legs from a short corner.

Scarborough equalised but their keeper's afternoon got worse as he picked up a yellow card when clearing the ball from just inside the 23.

The opposition bizarrely opted to play without a keeper meaning that what would have been a saved short corner became a penalty flick, tidily converted by Bryce Tuckett. Cook completed the scoring with another short corner conversion to make the final score 3-1.

York VIIs entertained second-placed Leeds Leodis.

Paul Rowntree broke the deadlock for York with a classy lob over the keeper after a good attacking move.

This opened the floodgates and by half-time York were 5-0 ahead, with Hamish Broadbent netting a hat-trick.

City added another through Andy Wilson before Leodis scored two quick goals. City had the last word though, as Broadbent netted again to make the final score 7-2.

York VIIIs recorded a 1-0 victory over Acomb IIs to climb to third in the league table.

After a scoreless first half, it was end to end hockey with both teams going for the win. And a quick move down the right saw Pete Richardson cross with Jack Allerton, who fired against the backboard to make the final score 1-0.

Richard Tanner-Smith put York IXs ahead in their match with Ben Rhydding before the opposition piled on the pressure and netted four times before half-time. York reorganised but were unable to finish their chances in the second half as the game ended 4-1 to Ben Rhydding.

Elsewhere, Tadcaster Magnets I lost 6-1 away at division two leaders University of Leeds I.

In division five north, seventh placed Tadcaster Magnets II lost 2-0 at home to third placed Airedale II.