THE University of York men’s hockey team overcame Sheffield 3-2 to head a list of first-round cup victories for Heslington students.

The York side dominated in the main but were twice pegged back until Hugo Christie bagged the winner from a 63rd-minute short corner.

York had been on top from the off but could not break down a resolute defence until Phil Ratliff broke free on 19 minutes and fired home.

York could not capitalise on further chances and Sheffield forced an equaliser straight from the push back at the start of the second half.

The Heslington side continued to attack and retook the lead when Ratliff tucked home the rebound from a saved Nish Selvakumar shot. Sheffield again equalised following a rare mistake by York goalkeeper Callum Chaundy, but Christie saved his blushes.

York’s men’s second side beat Leeds in a fraught affair, while the third team performed admirably but lost 7-2 to a side in the same league as their own first team. A superb display from goalkeeper Alex McDonald prevented a bigger rout. The women’s hockey first team beat Newcastle 4-2 with goals from Helena Page, Emma Beresford, Joely Hartley and player-of-the-match Hermione Warmington.

York fell behind after a slow start but grew in confidence and began playing as a unit, with excellent distribution from captain Izi Hutchinson, at full-back, launching many an attack. She said: “The girls had a great game and showed superb skills against a decent side.”

The scoreline of the day came from the women’s rugby union side, who thrashed Leeds Trinity 108-0, with 16 tries scored and centre Mollie Staples converting 12.

The women’s netball first team also enjoyed a big win, 85-12 against Chester. There was solid defence and distribution from player-of-the-match captain Bronwen Dalley Smith and clinical finishing from Emma Loft and Grace Clark.

York’s men’s rugby union first XV sent out a depleted side to play Sheffield Hallam in the cup to preserve players for league matches, and lost 36-10 – a scoreline which flattered Hallam.

York man-of-the-match Alex Cormack, playing out of position at fly-half, controlled the game well but was let down by a poor performance from the pack, who failed to provide clean ball and were turned over far too often in contact.