City of York win division five north hockey title after victory over leaders Halifax

It was a far easier game than might have been the case since Halifax allowed a number of their regular players to help out other teams higher up the league.

Both clubs had already guaranteed promotion and COY took full advantage of the weakened opposition to secure a 4-0 victory courtesy of goals from Rob Bradley-Consitt (2) and Paul Rowntree (2). Goalkeeper Gordon Moore saved a penalty stroke near the end of the game.

York II secured a fourth consecutive victory and also condemned opponents Rotherham I to relegation from the YMHL premier division. York settled into the game quickly and Stephen Forrest broke the deadlock in the 20th minute after dribbling the ball from the half way line into the D. Forrest scored again five minutes later before Ben Mould added a third goal early in the second half. Rotherham pulled a goal back from a short corner but James Fitton made it 4-1 with a cheeky chip over a stranded goalkeeper.

In division one, York III ended the season with a 2-1 victory over mid-table rivals Ben Rhydding II.

The deadlock was broken ten minutes after halftime when Flynn Mullins set off on an individual run, turned the Rhydding defence inside-out, and calmly waltzed around the goalkeeper before slotting slot the ball home.

Mullins scored a second goal ten minutes before the end when Matt Tippers’ pass found him unmarked at the back post.

Ben Rhydding’s consolation goal came in the dying seconds from a converted penalty corner.

Mullins had also scored earlier in the day playing for York V who beat Ramgharia 4-2 in a division two fixture. Greg Sykes was the star of the show, however, scoring a hat-trick before picking up a green card.

York VI condemned Wakefield V to relegation in division four north with a 2-1 away victory. York took the lead when John Barrett shrugged off some heavy challenges to score at the end of a strong run. Wakefield equalised but the lead was restored by Neil Reader.