KATIE Birch was in top scoring form as City of York Hockey Club Girls’ Under-12s ‘A’ team returned to action after their Christmas break.

Birch was on target as they beat Harrogate 2-1 in the first fixture of their Yorkshire Youth League tournament.

Merry Foster was the other York scorer as the team produced a fine performance.

Birch was also on target in the next game, sealing a 1-0 victory over a strong Rotherham outfit. Fiona Hunter did an excellent job in goal.

After a short break, York faced their toughest game against top-of-the-table Wakefield. All of the girls raised their game and played some superb hockey despite a 1-0 defeat. After Wakefield scored, York produced some great team play and there were a few near misses.

However, Becca Birch, Lol Ellwood and Foster were unable to find the back of the net.

Anna Clarke played well in defence on her debut in the ‘A’ team.

Sheffield were the next opponents and, with Sally Hicks and Helen Megone getting to grips with a change of positions, the game ended goalless.

The final game against Kingston-upon-Hull saw York quickly fall two goals behind.

But they fought back and Birch scored a consolation goal.

Meanwhile, the City of York ‘B’ team were playing in the ‘C’ Division and, despite playing well, lost all their matches.

In the first game, they lost 1-0 to Ben Rhydding ‘A’ with Izzie Hall playing well in goal.

York then lost 1-0 to Bradford, who were a much bigger and older side as two-thirds of the City team were under the age of 11.

Anna Kilmartin and Georgina McKenzie played well in defence.

A 3-2 defeat by Kirklees ‘A’ followed. Kirklees soon took a two-goal lead, but Hall helped to create goals for Chloe Burdass and Sophie Blackburn to bring them level.

However, Kirklees scored in the last minute to make it 3-2.

The last match ended in a 3-1 defeat by Kirklees ‘B’.

Amelia Browne and Charlotte Grainger-Savage made some timely tackles to break down Kirklees’ attacks, but could not prevent them scoring.

Thea Davies and Natasha Leach worked hard in midfield, but the only reward was a last-minute goal from Hall.