CITY of York Hockey Club's under-18s featured in a national indoor hockey championship as representatives of the North of England - but lost out to strong competition.

Along with Old Loughtonians, City were the only non-National Hockey League club at the Junior Super 6s Club Championship in London, but they were eliminated at the group stage.

Four regions of England - the North, South, East and West - had two teams playing in the championship, with City's fellow northerners Ben Rhydding eventually losing out in the final to Repton.

The City team extended praise to Ben Rhydding, and expressed satisfaction at their own involvement.

A team statement said: "We are proud to have been playing the Super 6s Championship as one of the 10 best clubs in the country.

"We would like to congratulate our northern co-competitors Ben Rhydding with their fantastic achievement playing in the final versus Repton."

Beeston were first up for City, who fought well but went five goals down after seeing a player carded. Milly Barnes flicked in a consolation from a short corner to make the final score 5-1.

City's second fixture proved a tough one, coming up against Team Bath Buccaneers, who took a three-goal lead into the break. A tactical shake-up at half-time was not enough for City, and they finished losing 6-0.

The next day opened against Harleston Magpies. City took the lead with Megan Harrington's early goal, but a second-half salvo from the Norfolk-based Magpies proved too much, and they finished 4-1 winners.

The final match saw City fall 3-1 to East Grinstead, in which Barnes bagged her second of the competition.

Along with Barnes and Harrington, the City squad comprised Ella Deighton, Josefien Heijbroek, Hannah Smith, Lily Naylor, Harriet Stephenson, Lucy Lovisetto and Lucy Lawrence.