CITY of York Hockey Club Under-15 girls were unable to find form in the National Plate competition, losing 5-1 to Leicester Fyffe.

York started brightly after they made the initial move into the opposition half but soon lost control of the game.

With poor first touches York were unable to adapt to the water-based surface and for the first time this season failed to sustain pressure on the opposition goal.

After several short corners Leicester got their breakthrough to go 1-0 up.

York fought back bravely throughout the first half but it wasn't until the last ten minutes that they started to make an impression and almost pulled level as Lucy Butcher's short corner strike forced the 'keeper to toe-poke the ball away.

Leicester immediately came back and made it 2-0 and pulled further ahead ten minutes into the second half.

Amelia Smalley raised York's hopes moments later to make it 3-1 but any hopes of a comeback were dashed as the opposition were awarded a controversial penalty stroke.

Leicester converted and York threw players forward, only to see Leicester finally put the game completely beyond doubt with a fifth goal.

The defeat could not dampen what has been a successful season for the City of York girls and their first appearance in a national final bodes well for the future.

Updated: 11:22 Tuesday, May 20, 2003