City of York I remain firmly rooted at the foot of the NCHL Premiership following a 7-4 defeat at second-placed Southport.

Southport's major weapon was a clinically effective short corner routine, which they used to good advantage against the injury-hit ranks.

Their first two goals came via that ploy after seven minutes and 15 minutes, the latter against the run of play.

In the second quarter, City created a number of scoring chances but were thwarted by excellent defence.

Just when it seemed City might pull one back an unlucky deflection from a defender's stick shot past Simon Bennett, the City 'keeper.

In the second half Southport turned on the heat and added two goals early on, giving City a mountain to climb.

A further Southport goal bizarrely signalled a fight-back and at last, from a short corner, the ball went into the home team's net, courtesy of Kyle Hogg.

Southport replied almost immediately but that did not deter City of York's finishing spirit and in a ten-minute spell added three goals through Kyle Hogg, Gawaine Hogg and Mark Little.

In the last quarter it was all City, but they could not further reduce the arrears.

Despite lacking fluidity City of York II put on a dour, workmanlike performance to defeat Brigg I 4-0.

The visitors, anxious to avoid the relegation zone in NCHL Division Two East, took the game to York.

Eventually City grew in strength and thoroughly deserved their stroke of luck when Chris Allerton's miss-hit fooled Brigg's keeper.

City were able to relax and a few minutes later Allerton fired in a fierce shot.

The visitors again came at City, but the hosts were resolute and from a home short corner, Phil Clark fired in a hard shot which the 'keeper saved but Rob Blackburn darted in with a reverse stick scoop to score. An assist by Glyn Humphrey gave Allerton his hat-trick.

City of York III also found themselves in an unattractive game with Lincoln II who played negatively.

After 20 minutes City took the lead with an open-play goal by Jason Bemrose, YCHL division four's current leading scorer.

After the interval City took more measured control and in a 15 minutes spell banged in three more goals, two from Matt Todd and one from Alex Fletcher.

A further ten minutes elapsed before Todd completed his hat-trick from a short corner.

An outstanding feature of the game was the performance of Laurie Skinner on his debut from City IV.

City of York IV found themselves outpaced by a quick skilful York University I side who were two goals up in the first 25 minutes.

Malcolm Cossey put City back in the game with a gal before half-time and after the beak Marco Dukic deflected a cross to score the equaliser. University scored the winner with 15 minutes left.

City of York V could not reverse a heavy defeat by Sheffield University Bankers VIII earlier in the season but did enough to win 2-1 and stay in the promotion race in YDHL division seven.

A first-half goal by John Raper set City up before Roz Ramli struck.

Bankers pulled one back but could not find the equaliser. For City Simon Casterton was outstanding.

City of York VI experienced another bizarre event. Because of an alteration in the starting time Hull YPI arrived "late" unaware of the change.

The game was evenly contested with Richard Tanner-Smith coming close to giving City the lead on two occasions and Nick Longster making two goal-line clearance to prevent Hull YPI from taking the lead.

Ten minutes into the second half the pitch was 'invaded' by Tadcaster Ladies who insisted their game go ahead at their scheduled time.

City of York and Hull YPI were then forced to abandon their game with the score standing although there was some uncertainly as to whether the minimum playing time had been reached.

City of York VII could not repeat their earlier YCHL division nine victory over Wakefield IV losing 6-3 to a stronger side.

Neil Reeder scored first to put City in the lead, Wakefield equalised within ten minutes then went ahead but Reeder levelled the score at this point but Wakefield regained the lead just before half-time.

After the break City were still in the game and had they been awarded the penalty they deserved after a Wakefield defender stopped a short on the goal-line with his foot they would have tackled the second half with more spirit.

Frustration set in and Wakefield pressed their advantage by scoring three more goals. Reeder later completed his hat-trick

City of York VIII crashed 5-0 to hosts Rotherham, the visitors throwing the game away by slack marking.

City of York's junior hockey programme was badly hit by snow wiping out the under-10 boys' and under-16 girls' games.

The Yorkshire mini-hockey under-11 girls' final however brought a resounding success.

With Amelia Smalley in splendid form scoring all City goals, Hannah Longster outstanding in defence and Nicky Shepherdson conceding nothing in goal City won all their matches.

They beat Hymers College 1-0, Canon Popham School (Doncaster) 2-0, Driffield 1-0 and Silcoates School (Wakefield) 1-0, to become Yorkshire champions and go on to the Northern finals on April 1.

City of York U16 boys will play in the final of the RAF Careers Cup on Saturday against Scarborough College.

Updated: 13:03 Tuesday, February 27, 2001