Hockey

The success story for York hockey has continued following City of York Hockey Club's first team clinching promotion last week.

Nestle Rowntree Ladies hockey team, back from left: Jane Markland, Vanessa Moore, Sue Blackburn, Bev Woods, Jane Goldfinch, Catherine Turner, Sophie Hulse. Front from left: Julie Moore, Lorraine Young, Kate Kelly, Carol Carter, Sue Yoward. Pictures: Nigel Holland

Carol Carter, centre, of Nestle Rowntree, chases a Malton player during their 4-2 win

The club's indoor squad won the Yorkshire Indoor Cup, while they also qualified for the final of the Yorkshire Cup for the first time following a 3-1 win over Horsforth. And Acomb Ladies have finished as league and cup double winners again.

In the Indoor Cup, City of York beat Doncaster 4-2 in the semi-final, with three of the goals coming from the stick of Nick Carter at short corners.

In the final, York's opponents were Sheffield Bankers, unbeaten this season, and the game turned out to be a hard and fast one.

City managed to edge the play and two goals by Glyn Humphreys sent them ahead at half time. Bankers reorganised for the second half and made it 2-1 before a Mike Thornicroft deflection made it 3-1 to City.

A furious onslaught by Bankers saw them draw level at 3-3, but with 15 seconds to go Glyn Humphreys added his third to make the score 4-3 to City of York and bring another trophy into the city.

In the Yorkshire Cup, York dominated much of the first half against Horsforth but failed to create many good chances due to tentative play in the last quarter of the pitch. This and exceptional goalkeeping from Horsforth, brought a goalless first half and provoked the umpires to question what the extra-time regulations were to be.

However, the game sparked to life early in the second half as a result of a controversial penalty awarded to Horsforth, converted skilfully giving York goalkeeper James Baughan no chance. York's reply was immediate when James Gilbert broke down the left wing and was awarded a penalty following a scything stick tackle, Graham Cook beating the goalkeeper to his right.

Minutes later, York were awarded a second penalty flick when Hanna Rockliff was floored having been put through on goal by a slick pass from Lorraine Pearey. Graham Cook converted in similar style to his first. York then began to dominate open play and were rewarded with a short corner, from which Cook completed his hat-trick.

In the final moments of the game, James Baughan produced a brilliant save from a breakaway Horsforth attack, deflecting the ball over the crossbar with his hand while lying prone on the ground following an initial block.

This means the City of York will play Wakefield DC in the final on May 9 when they could find themselves playing against their own coach, Mike Thornicroft.

City of York III rounded off their disappointing season with a below-par performance against Adel III in a rearranged league fixture, going down 3-0. With only 18 points on the board the team can look forward to Division Four Yorkshire League Hockey next season.

City of York IV, VA and VB had no fixtures having completed their league seasons, but City of York VI A had a friendly against Wakefield V. Fielding a side blending youth and experience, City of York went one up after nine minutes when John Roberts put the ball away. Andrew Pooley added the second following a slick four-man short corner switch routine.

Dick Cambridge made it 3-0 and,late in the game Roger Jackson scored his first goal of the season to make the final score 4-0.City of York VI B, already facing relegation to Division Eight, and beginning the game with only seven players, faced Wakefield IV in a rearranged league game.

Stout defending by Graham Todd, Clive Marshall and resolute midfield play by Kishor Solanki kept Wakefield at bay, allowing them only one goal.

In the second half with City up to full strength the game was more even. Paddy Johnson hit the equaliser but then had to leave the pitch.

City of York U14 girls ended their first league season tenth out of 16 having lost in their final session, to Driffield 3-0 and Sheffield Bankers, the winners, 2-0. Sarah Green played well in defence.

Acomb Ladies, already promoted as champions from division two, faced divisional rivals Bradford in the final of the Yvonne Horner Shield they won last year.

Acomb started well, creating some good chances, and opened the scoring after ten minutes when Danielle Courtine picked the ball up on the halfway line, took the ball past three players and cracked it past the advancing goalkeeper.

Bradford mounted some pressure but the Acomb defence held tight with Carol Orton strong in defence. Acomb pressed for more goals and from several short corners doubled their lead with a well struck shot from Ruth Butterworth. Further goals from Sally Kelsey and Kerry Rafton made the score 4-0 at half-time.

In the second half, Bradford made a few positional changes and caused Acomb some problems. Bradford scored a goal from a short corner as the ball was deflected past the Acomb keeper.

Acomb recovered their composure and scored another through Liz Wilson to make the final score 5-1 to Acomb to cap off another fantastic season as league and cup double winners.

Sues strike to clinch crown for Nestl

Nestle Rowntree are champions of York and District Costcutter Women's Hockey League.

They clinched the title with a nail-biting 4-2 win at home to Malton.

Two converted short corners from Sue Yoward and Sue Blackburn gave Rowntree the lead but Malton levelled in the second half with two well taken goals.

In the closing minutes of the match, Blackburn weaved her way through the Malton defence to regain the lead and then followed up with an almost identical strike to secure Rowntree's victory.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.