MORALE was given a massive boost for City of York Hockey Club men's first XI after they toppled Leeds University I 3-1.

Their first win of 2008 in the Northern Hockey League premier division was at last delivered and after the visitors had started the more brisk.

However, once York got into a rhythm they were good value for the victory.

Chris Wilson broke the deadlock with a reverse stick shot after a fine tackle on the University D'.

The hosts started the second half strongly prompted by Mike Gamble in midfield and Alex Cockram doubled the advantage with a drag flick.

Numerous chances were then wasted before Leeds countered with a goal. That set up a tense finale until nerves were calmed by another Wilson goal after a series of wall-passes with Lee Cuffe.

A combination of sledging and the oddity of a hybrid synthetic pitch did for City of York II as they lost a 3-2 lead to hosts Leeds University II who finally edged a seven-goal thriller.

Trailing 2-0 City roared back with a Danny Turton reverse stick shot and a Tony Brimble strike.

In the second-half the hosts were down to nine men, losing a player to a broken ankle and their captain to the sin-bin for abuse. City then went ahead through Chris Dutton, but sloppy errors gifted an equaliser and City lost their composure as the students upped their sledging to gain a 4-3 win.

City of York III also came back from a 2-0 deficit to Hull University I with goals from Andy Wilson and Matt Tipper only to then succumb to a late winner.

Against a younger and fitter Leeds University IV outfit, City of York IV crashed 4-0, while the V XI game at Leeds Adel Carnegie IV was cancelled because of pitch conditions.

There was little better fare for City of York VI, who failed to turn greater possession into goals and lost 2-0 to Kings Cross, while City of York VII had a day to forget. They crashed 7-0 at home to Grimsby I with only Johnny Kilmartin starring for the hosts.

Neil Reader was the ace in the pack for City of York VIII when he hit a late leveller in a 2-2 draw at Leeds University V, whose two-goal lead was earlier cut by an Alex Herriott finish. Nick Kay and Kevin Fairs shone for York.

City of York IX strolled to a comfortable 3-0 win over Harrogate VI with all the goals coming in the first half from Josh Longster (2) and Miles Rawlings.

The City of York X game at Bingley Bees I was cancelled because of bad weather.