CITY OF York Hockey Club's first team tumbled out of the Yorkshire Champions Trophy in disappointing fashion at Sheffield.

They lost 1-0 to a last-minute goal against Sheffield Hallam and were then beaten 2-0 by Rotherham before sharing a 2-2 draw against Northern Hockey League premier division champions Sheffield University Bankers.

Both York goals in the latter exchange were created by James Gilbert and converted by John Raper and Alex Gutteridge.

York also played a series of matches against LA Metros, formerly known as Adel, the second team winning 3-0 with goals by Karim Ramli (2) and Chris Allerton.

Allerton and Ali Brennan shone for York with their speed and trickery.

City of York III, meanwhile, found two divisions of the Yorkshire League too difficult to bridge as they went down 5-0 to LA Metros II. Matt Fletcher was the pick of the York line-up.

Newcomer James Blanchard fired City of York IV ahead against LA Metros II, who then hit back to lead 3-1.

But goals from Graham Cook and Andy Wilson earned a draw for York, whose David Cook and Chris Smalley caught they eye.

City of York V, the club's designated development side, recovered from a slow start to beat LA Metros V 4-2.

Wayne Stephens scored a hat-trick with Nigel Herd getting the fourth. Tom Marvin, Tom Rowlands, Tom Sorby and Richard Cockram all did well.

Nathan Sorby performed well in the nets despite City of York VI being thumped 5-0 at LA Metros VI.

The York seventh team fared much more favourably, Richard Tanner-Smith scoring twice in a 4-2 victory over LA Metros VII.

Tadcaster Ladies continued their build-up to the season with a 3-0 friendly victory against City of York Ladies II.

Newly promoted Tadcaster got off to a strong start and were rewarded with a goal from Sammy Green after some intricate passing by Sarah Pedder and Keri Hooley. Becky Cattle scored Tad's other goals.

Updated: 11:13 Tuesday, September 16, 2003