CITY of York ladies' first team lost 2-0 at second-placed Ben Rhydding II in a fiery North Hockey League division one encounter.

The mid-table visitors started this game faster than in recent weeks and their strong defence was effective against Ben Rhydding's attack, with Heather McDonald proving a force to be reckoned with.

City also had their chances with some strong counter-attacks driven from the middle by Emma Brough, but they could not reach the target, before Ben Rhydding broke the deadlock.

The visitors continued to press, and Hannah Smith combined with Bel Howells-Lee to threaten the hosts’ goal, but nothing came of it.

City were the dominant team in the second half, keeping possession well in the opposition third, while player-of-the-match Ella Deighton was impressive in goal.

McDonald had several chances from short corners but, in the dying moments, Ben Rhydding were awarded a short corner from which a scruffy shot put the game beyond City.

City of York II were 3-1 home winners over Yorkshire League premier division bottom side Airedale.

City of York III played two games, losing 4-1 at division one high-fliers Pocklington, before beating Lindum II 3-2 at home 24 hours later.

The hosts came out hard in the first half and took the lead through Vicky Thornton, but they conceded just before the break.

Lindum briefly took the lead in the second period but Ruth Laybourne restored parity, deflecting in Thornton’s short corner and, with the momentum behind them, City found the backboard for the third and final time.

City of York IV remain bottom of division two after losing 3-0 at home to Sheffield University Bankers II.

The hosts seemed to take the Bankers by surprise in the opening stages of the game, having plenty of shots on target, but without reward.

At the other end, City were forced to defend against dominant attacking play as the visitors took full advantage of the pitch’s width, eventually scoring a tap-in just before the break.

City came out in the second half determined but unable to effect a controlled passing game, and the Bankers put away two more goals.

The player of the match was keeper Bethan Williams.

City of York V earned a 1-0 at Selby II in division four north.

The visitors took early possession of the ball after the Selby pushback and quickly earned back-to-back short corners, but good goalkeeping kept City at bay.

As the half wore on, Selby had a few shots on goal, but the City defence was too strong.

The hosts came out strongly in the second period, but City stayed strong and after regrouping got their reward through Rebecca Copperthwaite.

In the same division, City of York VI lost 6-0 at home to a well-drilled Horsforth side.

City of York VII lost 4-1 at division five north basement side Thirsk IV.

Good possession for City at the start earned the visitors two short corners, from which Jess Forman got the opening goal.

However, City succumbed to two goals on the break before half-time.

A change of formation caused further problems for the visitors after the restart, resulting in two more Thirsk goals.

Anna Duffus was City’s player of the match.