CITY of York II are no longer bottom of the Yorkshire Men’s Hockey League (YMHL) premier division thanks to a weekend victory over Boston Spa at York University.

Goals from Tim Lister and Patrick Herriott secured a 2-1 success and lifted the side above Harrogate II in the table.

It was their first victory in four games and only their second victory of the season and built on the previous week’s encouraging draw at Leeds IV.

York broke the deadlock when Ben Mould found Lister on the back post for an easy tap in. Boston Spa equalised just before the interval but Herriott hit the winner in the second half from a short corner.

Goalkeeper Jonathon Doyle made some incredible saves from short corners and open play.

York I returned empty handed from their trip to Chester I in the North Hockey League premier division.

Chester took the lead after York failed to clear and doubled their lead from a short corner. Alex Cockram pulled a goal back with a penalty stroke after a foul on Tom Feasby. Chester extended their lead to 3-1 before Anthony Bull reduced the deficit at a penalty corner. York failed to force an equaliser and remain bottom of the table.

York III suffered their heaviest defeat of the season - losing 4-0 to third placed Thirsk & Malton in YMHL division one.

Goalkeeper Sam Robbins made several quality saves - even using his head to keep out one effort - but the pressure mounted and Thirsk took full command.

In division two, York IV missed out a third consecutive victory when losing 1-0 against Lindum III at Huntington School.

Chris Clayson made his debut in defence but changes in personnel led to a midfield re-shuffle.

On a bitterly cold afternoon, York started brightly but failed to capitalise on their pressure. Lindum broke the deadlock and York’s halftime team talk emphasised the need to be more clinical and to play with more intensity. York piled on the pressure but still couldn’t find the target. Rob Prentice had a ‘goal’ disallowed.

Tadcaster Magnets I won 4-2 against bottom of the table Worksop at the Energise Sports Centre.

York VI were leap-frogged by Thirsk & Malton II following a 1-0 defeat to their promotion rivals in division four north. The goal resulted from a weak short corner which only compounded the agony.

In division five north, York VII only just scraped a 2-1 victory against struggling Boston Spa III. Buoyed by victories in their last three games, York had been looking to demonstrate their superiority but poor passing and communication allowed the hosts to take a halftime lead. York improved after the break and goals from Joe Stanley and Cameron Mackay secured a narrow win.

York VIII (the development squad) moved above York VII in the table after an emphatic 11-2 victory over Tadcaster Magnets II.

The average age of the team was reduced with U16 goalkeeper Scott Cooper replacing the injured David Hyam. The Magnets, who started the afternoon in second spot, were solid in defence and initially rebuffed the youngsters. They took the lead but York responded in magnificent style - Moritz bagged a double hat-trick, Peter Richardson scored from a short corner, and the team featuring nine players under the age of 18 went on the rampage with Zack Pierson and James Harrison both scoring twice.

Goals from Kieran McAdam and Henry Cadogan gave York IX a 2-1 victory over Boston Spa IV in division six north.