CITY of York Hockey Club's Under-15 girls' team held their nerve to reach the final of the English Hockey Association plate competition.

They beat Chelmsford 3-2 in a penalty-flick shoot-out after the game finished 1-1 and will now play Leicester Fyffe in the final in Norwich.

York were caught cold as Chelmsford, fielding seven Essex county players, scored from their first attack of the game.

York mounted a string of attacks but didn't equalise until the second half through Becki Raper.

Despite dominating, York could not find a winner and the match finished at 1-1 after normal time and went straight to penalty flicks.

April Watson saved Chelmsford's first effort and tension increased as Jess Barnes hit the post with York's first. Watson saved again and Rosie Evans put York ahead. Chelmsford levelled with their next flick before Lucy Butcher's effort was saved.

With the score at 1-1 Watson made another outstanding save and Raper fired York 2-1 ahead. Chelmsford converted their last flick to level but York captain Steph Pearson netted with the final flick of the match to clinch victory.

City of York Under-18 girls' team lost 6-1 at Chigwell-based Old Loughtonians in Essex in EHA U18 Girls' Plate competition semi-finals. Captain Kate Longbottom scored York's goal from a short corner in the second half.

Updated: 11:40 Tuesday, April 29, 2003