CITY of York Ladies I kicked off their new season with a resounding 4-2 victory in the North Hockey League division one.

York travelled to Wilmslow in the pouring rain but the visitors started strongly, playing some excellent and well-linked hockey.

Laura Horne, back playing for City of York after a couple of seasons elsewhere, opened the scoring with a fantastic deflection that sky-rocketed into the net.

She followed suit minutes later taking York 2-0 up. A dubious yellow card and penalty stroke was awarded to Wilmslow before half-time, enabling them to come back by one goal.

With the rain continuing to pour, York had a slow start to the second half and a slow reaction to a Wilmslow counter attack meant that Wilmslow brought the scores back level at 2-2.

York were not, however beaten yet. Heather Macdonald stepped up to take a York penalty corner, skilfully smashing the ball past four Wilmslow defenders and the outstretched goal keeper’s foot.

After another excellent York counter attack, and link-up play between Georgia Whitaker and Amy Birch, the ball rebounded off the Wilmslow keeper’s pads for Ali Couttie to pick up and hammer home to give York the win.

City of York Ladies II also tasted victory, edging past Leeds Adel II 3-2.

York went behind in the first half but responded almost immediately with a reverse stick deflection by Vicky Skilton who found the end of a fine cross from Corinne Wray.

Player-of-the-match Charlotte Robertson soon put York into the lead with an excellent strike. Robertson extended York’s lead with another goal after the break.

Despite strong defensive performances by Charlotte Neal in goal and Rachel Navin in centre defence, Adel pulled a goal back. York played out a tight last 10 minutes and came away deserved 3-2 winners.

City of York Ladies’ other outfits weren’t able to replicate their club-mates’ success however. City of York III and VI were beaten by Thirsk II (1-3) and Barnsley (3-1) respectively while City of York V could only play to a goalless draw with Leeds Adel V.

City of York VI suffered an 8-0 defeat at Tadcaster Magnets II in their friendly match. The wind and rain did not stop the VI’s defending fantastically and attacking courageously in spite of the heavy scoreline.

Cat Buckingham stood in at the last minute as substitute goalie and made some incredible saves. Player-of-the-match went to Amelia Boddice.

Meanwhile, in the NHL division, City of York Mens I were unable to hold on for a point against Brigg I, falling to a 3-2 defeat on the road.

A youthful York outfit were met by torrential rain when they arrived at Brigg for the opening day clash. York went one down within minutes of the start, an unmarked Brigg forward knocking in a cross at the back post.

York got themselves going and started to get their passing moves flowing causing Brigg problems. Ollie Fryer slotting a strike past the keeper on the angle to score in his first league game on his return from University.

York pressed high at the start of the second half and got their reward when a bouncing bomb from Felix Evans was turned in by skipper Charlie Borwell at the back post.

The game ebbed and flowed towards the end of the second half when Brigg won and scored a flick from a dubious short corner.

Unfortunately for the visitors, Brigg were able to sneak a winner on the break past the excellent Jack Forward in the York goal five minutes from time.

Elsewhere, Leeds Adel II beat City of York II 3-6, City of York III drew 3-3 with Harrogate III and Brigg II defeated City of York IV 0-4.

City of York VII and VIII were also beaten, losing to Thirsk II (6-2) and Harrogate V (0-3) respectively.

Competing in friendly action, City of York IX won 2-1 against their X counterparts.

City of York V’s match with Doncaster Independent I was called off.