City of York Under-13 girls qualified for the Yorkshire Finals by winning the North Yorkshire mini-tournament in style.

Despite missing regular club players because they were playing for their schools, five players from St Olave's School who attend club training were drafted into a squad which won all their five games.

Emma Rowley kept goal and made some crucial saves during the competition.

Amy Bowler, Emma Hartley and Georgina Hayward provided a strong and solid defence, along with defender Hannah Longster, whose tireless effort and strong tackling broke down any serious attack, particularly against Scarborough College in the first match.

Midfielders Rosie Evans, Amelia Smalley and Judith Evans controlled the game, while Rosie Evans' power, pace and control, together with Amelia Smalley's skills and passing, provided a hatful of goals for Katherine Francis at centre forward and Katherine Wackett.

Apart from making hard work of the second game against St Aidans, the girls comprehensively beat all their opponents.

There was no such joy for City of York Under-11 boys, despite opening with a couple of victories.

In the second half of their programme they lost to Scarborough College after taking an early lead before then drawing with Thirsk in a nail-biting final game, which they needed to win to take top place in their group.

The dropped points proved costly, as a better goal difference saw Scarborough College go through to the next round of the championships.

Grant Wilson was outstanding in goal for York and Charlie Green provided defensive strength. Tom Feasby displayed good touches, linking well with Alfie Chase, Ian Lynn, James Aveyard and Edward McCartney-Moore. Jonathan Kilmartin and Will Sorby were York's scorers.

Updated: 11:26 Tuesday, February 26, 2002