STRUGGLING City of York men’s II climbed off the foot of the Yorkshire Hockey League premier division with a 5-2 home victory over Old Malton I.

The Huntington School-based side picked up their first win since the opening day of the season following a run of eight successive defeats.

Old Malton took the lead early on, but City fought their way back and grabbed a deserved equaliser.

Good play down the left by Rob Newton created an opportunity for Alex Fletcher, whose shot was saved but Dan Ellwood was on hand to net the rebound.

City went in front before half-time when Jonny Kilmartin was given space at the back post to beat the ’keeper. Captain Jonathan Doyle, in the York goal, made a good save before Malton levelled from a penalty corner.

Man-of-the-match Doyle was then alert to make an interception at the top of the ‘D’, allowing City to regain their hold on the game.

James Wickham grabbed his first goal for the club from another rebound, the returning Rich Jenkin found the top corner from a penalty corner and Ellwood then teed up Kilmartin for a simple tap-in.

Man-of-the-match Tim Lister bagged a hat-trick of goals as City of York III beat Scarborough 5-4 in division two.

Rob Chamberlin and Alex Herriott were also on the scoresheet.

City of York IV extended their winning run to four matches in division three with a 3-2 win at Leeds IV.

Danny Vaughan crashed home a shot from the top of the ‘D’ to give York the lead and Zach Moore then met a searching pass into the ‘D’ and guided the ball past the ’keeper.

After the break, Leeds drew level with two goals from short corners, but York regrouped and Greg Sykes restored the lead.

With five minutes to go, ’keeper Tom Starbuck made a brilliant stop from a short corner.

Lewis Inman and Andrew Brewster netted first-half goals as City of York V beat Harrogate IV 2-0 in division four north.

In the same division, there was a 3-1 defeat for City of York VI against Harrogate III.

York took the lead through captain Pat Birch after good build-up play from Henry Wilson, John Doran and Joe Ball.

However, Harrogate replied with two quick goals past stand-in ’keeper Tim Ball, who was York’s man-of-the-match.

Harrogate sealed the win with a breakaway goal after the break.

City of York VII were beaten 2-0 by visitors Huddersfield Dragons IV in division five north.

York goalkeeper Tom Swift, who is having a fantastic season, turned in another superb display.

City had a player sent off with two minutes remaining.

Top of the table Wakefield V dismissed City of York VIII 7-0 in division six north.

City of York Badgers were 4-1 winners over Airedale.

Luke Burnett, Joe Inman and Sam Nicholson were strong in defence in the first half and York took the lead through Ben Mould.

After the break, York extended their lead through George Good plus a second from Mould.

Airedale got a deserved goal in reply but York clinched victory with a fine penalty corner strike from Jack Fletcher.

• City of York I’s North League premier division game at Timperley I was postponed due to a frozen pitch.