Nestl Rowntree women's hockey team wrapped up their second successive Costcutter Ladies Hockey League title with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Pickering.

Nestl started slow and Pickering took an early lead before Margi Charlson netted the equaliser. A good cross from the right was flicked on by Charlson for Julie Moore to give Nestl the lead.

Pickering didn't give up and got back on level terms on the stroke of half-time.

The second half saw chances at both ends with neither team able to capitalise. With the clock winding down Rowntree were awarded a short corner. The ball was hit to Jane Markland who fired home the winner.

In their final game of the Costcutter season, Stamford Bridge Ladies drew 1-1 at Stokesley, Sarah Kocinski scoring the Bridge goal. Kerry Kerr was named Bridge's player of the match.

City of York Ladies drew 2-2 in their North League game at home to Sheffield, a fair result from a keenly-fought contest.

York pressed from the start but were caught out when they committed too many players forward, exposing a threadbare defence to a quick Sheffield break resulting in the opening goal for the visitors midway through the first half.

But a spirited York hit back in the second period, Paula Clough picking up Sam Binns' corner to equalise with a firm strike from the edge of the circle.

Lorraine Pearey, who had a fine game, then intercepted a pass out of the Sheffield defence to release Sally Sleightholme. Her close-range effort at first seemed to be blocked by the Sheffield 'keeper, only for the ball to loop high into the net to give York the lead.

That brought more determined attacks by Sheffield who levelled with a goal from a penalty corner before York almost snatched the winner, Kate Rorrison being denied by a combination of 'keeper and goal-post in the last seconds.

York complete the league season next Saturday with a re-arranged game at home to Timperley.

Playing two weekend games in division two of the Yorkshire League, City of York Ladies II won 2-0 at home to Horsforth with a goal in each half, the first from Amelia Smalley before Becky Raper made the game safe just before time.

They then travelled to Pudsey, losing 1-0 to a late goal, York failing to convert pressure into goals in a disappointing defeat.

Meanwhile, in division five, City of York Ladies III won 6-2 at Horsforth II.

Becky Copperthwaite, Krista Siddall and Sarah Hughes scored two goals each, prompted by some good work by Anwen Hughes.

In division six, City of York Ladies IV were awarded an automatic 3-0 win when opponents Sheffield VI failed to raise a team.

Updated: 08:32 Tuesday, March 30, 2004