CITY of York Ladies I finished their North Hockey League (NHL) division one season with a 2-1 away win at Ben Rhydding II to seal fourth place in the table.

York went out with a fierce attitude and started the game as they meant to go on with some fantastic play, communication and passing.

Ben Rhydding opened the scoring against the run of play but York didn’t let their heads go down.

They came back with intent and Heather Macdonald scored York’s opening goal from an expertly struck short corner.

York increased the pressure on the Ben Rhydding backline, pummelling their defence with consistent hard plays.

Their endeavour paid off when Ali Couttie stepped up and struck a phenomenal ball that rocketed into the Ben Rhydding goal to take City of York 2-1 up.

With little of the game left to play, York continued their strong defence and excellent attacking passages of play and finished the season with three points, a 1-2 victory and a top four finish in the league.

Elsewhere, York Ladies II battled to a 3-3 draw at home to Ben Rhydding III.

York were given their first shock of the season when they went 2-0 down in the first ten minutes.

They increased their intensity in response and Vicky Skilton soon pulled one back for York with a reverse sweep past the keeper before Corinne Wray equalled things up with a well-taken strike.

However a lapse in concentration meant the visitors went ahead again just before half time.

York came out stronger in the second half with a more organised defensive display which was rewarded when Skilton got her second minutes before time to earn the home side a point.

York Ladies III won 2-0 away to Leeds University III, with Annabel Howells-Lee and Liz Armitage scoring for the visitors.

Travelling to Sheffield Hallam III, York Ladies IV suffered a 3-0 defeat. York Ladies VI were beaten 2-0 by Airedale II.

In the men's section, York Men I were relegated from the NHL premier division after losing out 4-3 away to Whitley Bay and Tynemouth.

With relegation almost certain, York headed up to the north east hoping to finish on a high and send Alex Cockram out in style in his final first-team game after 18 years.

York began with an aggressive press which back-fired, leaving openings at the back and conceding two soft goals.

York bounced back when Robbie Bradley Consitt received the ball close range and flicked over the rushing keeper. But, another sloppy goal left York trailing 3-1 at the break.

York dominated in the second period and were struggling to score past the opposing keeper until Cockram's solo effort broke the resistance.

As the game went on York were stretched and Whitley pulled away with a counter goal.

York did score again, Luke Ramli calmly finishing a rebound from the baseline, but it proved nothing more than a consolation.

Elsewhere, York Men II ended their season with a 5-2 win over Wakefield II with James Fitton and Dan Ellwood scoring twice and Chris Newton also on target.

York Men III won 5-2 at Ramgarhia, Men IV drew 1-1 at home to Boston Spa, Men V thrashed Doncaster IV 7-0, Men VII won 2-1 against Thirsk II, Men VIII drew 0-0 with Driffield III and Men X drew 1-1 at Halifax V.