CITY of York Hockey Club warmed up for the new season by taking part in the Yorkshire Champions Trophy - a competition for the top eight teams in the county.

York are being coached this year by Gawaine Hogg, the ex-York Trojan and City of York player.

His charges were handed a tough draw in the group stages featuring Doncaster, Wakefield and Sheffield University Bankers.

Ashley Watson made his debut in goal in the opener again Doncaster which was drawn 1-1, Nick Carter scoring from a short corner.

Kyle Hogg gave York the lead against Wakefield, but after being frustrated by several good saves, York were disappointed to concede a late equaliser.

Victory was required against SUB in their third game, but the South Yorkshire side were 3-0 up inside the first quarter and despite a goal from Kyle Hogg were beaten 5-1.

City of York III drew 3-3 with SUB III in a non-league match, Graham Cook (2) and John Peet scoring for York.

Some of York's former Trojan players took part in a match against an Acomb XI to mark the tenth anniversary of the death of Acomb player Matthew Linfoot. He had died soon after a Saturday fixture between the two sides and many of those who played on that day took part in the commemoration game.

Acomb's Veterans have returned from Italy having finished fourth in the Autumn Pentangular Tournament held in Rome.

Acomb lost their first match 3-1 against local side Lazio, Andy Lovett scoring for the Tangerines.

A weakened Acomb team then lost 2-0 to Gens Italia before getting up to full strength to defeat Dutch side Chickendale 5-1 with goals from Lovett (3) - the only hat-trick of the tournament - David Grainger (2).

The final match was against Tevere HC, who included six ex-Italian internationals in their squad and not surprisingly won the competition. However, Acomb beat them with a Lovett goal five minutes from the end.

l City of York Ladies train at York University on Tuesdays with the first team put through their paces between 7pm and 8pm, followed by an hour-long session for the rest of the section.

The men's first and second team meet at the university on Mondays (7pm to 9pm) and at Huntington School on Wednesdays (7.30pm to 9.30pm).

Men's club training is at Imphal Barracks on Wedndesdays (7pm to 8pm). New members should contact Graham Guffick on 01904 340411 or Paula Clough on 01904 608497.

Updated: 10:19 Tuesday, September 14, 2004