LEADERS City of York Hockey Club Men’s I head into the Christmas break with a four-point advantage in North League division one after a 4-2 victory over City of Manchester I.

The fixture beat the weather thanks to the efforts of Energise staff in clearing the pitch and City of York took full advantage on a day when games across the county were wiped out.

Unbeaten York drew 3-3 at Manchester in the opening game of the season and they were determined to notch their eighth victory from ten matches in the return.

However, after a two week lay-off for the big freeze, City started sluggishly and fell 2-0 behind in the opening 20 minutes thanks to some wayward passes in defence. They slowly recovered their form and started to make inroads into the Manchester defence, forcing a penalty corner from which Ollie Couttie coolly slotted home. Jon Chappell then pulled off a superb save when Manchester’s centre forward again latched onto a misplaced pass and took on the goalkeeper one-on-one.

Man of the match Lee Cuffe led by example in the second half as City of York played with more purpose.

They forced two short corners in quick succession and full-back Mike Gamble also found the space to drive into the opposition ‘D’ and unleashed a shot which went close to levelling the scores. The equaliser soon came when Steve Paterson received the ball at the top of the circle and passed the ball beyond the Manchester goalkeeper for Jack Purrington to tap in from close range. Purrington then put City into the lead from a similar position. City of Manchester were not beaten though and they continued to threaten, forcing Chappell into further good saves.

York rode their luck and rounded off a 4-2 victory with a second penalty corner strike by Ollie Couttie as the final whistle sounded.

In Yorkshire League division three, City of York IV drew 1-1 away to struggling Airedale I.

Airedale started the better of the two teams and they got their reward with a 25th-minute goal from a short corner.

York came out stronger after half-time, but their three-week break clearly had an effect and only a few clear chances were created.

The only one that was taken was an Andy Wilson strike after a good run by Greg Sykes with ten minutes remaining to ensure York left with a point.

City of York IX hit back from a goal down to beat hosts Ben Rhydding VIII 4-1 in division seven north. After going behind early on, Martin Gorton put City on level terms from a short corner.

Just before half-time, skipper Alex Triffitt set up Andy Dent for a tap-in to put City ahead.

After the break, Gorton scored his second when his shot was deflected home.

In the dying minutes, a swift break away was finished off by Triffitt.

City of York Veterans went out of the National Cup at the third round stage, losing 5-4 on penalties to hosts Barford Tigers after the tie finished 2-2 in normal time.