HIGH-FLYING City of York Hockey Club Men’s I are on the fringes of the North League division one promotion race after a 3-0 home win over Sheffield University Bankers II.

City seized the early initiative at Oaklands to pile pressure on the Sheffield goal, but were made to wait until midway through the first half to find the breakthrough.

Lee Cuffe found space in the ‘D’ to beat his man and slot past the ’keeper for his fifth of the season.

In the second half, the game remained largely one-way traffic and Cuffe doubled the lead 15 minutes from time. Victory was sealed minutes later when Richie Cockram lashed home a loose ball after an initial shot was saved.

City of York II were trounced 5-0 at Sheffield University Bankers III in the Yorkshire League premier division. City of York III beat visitors Bradford I 2-1 in division two.

Phil Hamilton put City ahead after 25 minutes and, early in the second half, City doubled their lead with a goal from Greg Sykes. Bradford reduced the arrears with ten minutes to go.

In division three, City of York IV drew 0-0 at Boston Spa II on an unpredictable pitch.

City of York V battled hard on their way to a 3-1 defeat by division four leaders Leeds University IV.

City conceded a goal two minutes before half-time, but they remained in the running after the restart thanks to some excellent goalkeeping by Dave Horn. However, a cruel deflection breached Horn’s defence as the university side went two goals up.

City hit back when Will Sorby followed up his own shot to crash the ball home, but a late goal from the students sealed the points. Division five side City of York VI lost 5-0 at Leeds University V.

York had their chances, but Will Sorby hit a post and had a goal disallowed, while Matt Newlove also had a goal chalked off.

City of York VII fared better in their division five clash with Sheffield University Bankers VII, dispatching their visitors 8-1.

York opened with a brace from Josh Longster in the first ten minutes, while there were short corner conversions by Mike Couttie and Elliot Colley.

In the second half, Longster completed his hat-trick, Colley hit his second and there was a goal apiece for Luke Chambers-Smith and James Wilson.

The Bankers gained revenge when their eighth team beat City of York VIII 4-2 in division seven.

City’s scorers were Simon Burton and Nick Kay. City of York X Badgers beat Rotherham 2-1. Danny Ellwood and Lewis Inman were the scorers.

• Acomb Men’s I beat Airedale I 4-3 and the IIs lost 4-2 at Wakefield VI.