Champions Marcia had all but secured a place in the quarter-finals of the University of York Men's Six-a-side Tournament even before this week's final group games.

Going for a hat-trick of successive titles, Marcia headed their group with a 100 per cent record having scored 20 goals and conceded just one in their opening four victories.

FC Magnet and York University 'A' also had 100 per cent records in their respective groups up to and including last week, while unbeaten Stamford Bridge also look likely qualifiers from their section.

The mid-week tournament, which this year has a record 39 teams taking part, involves five groups, the winners of which plus the three best runners-up go through to the knock-out stage.

The tightest group is the Wednesday section, which provided the most controversial game of the last week, when Evening Press, needing a win to have a chance of finishing top, came back from two down to draw 2-2 with unbeaten Cunning Stunts.

Press, whose goalkeeper Gary Sullivan dislocated a finger when Stunts scored a debatable second goal, had one man sent off twice and another red-carded at the final whistle as tempers flared. They had earlier had a goal controversially ruled out and felt more aggrieved when a foul denied them a clear-cut chance of a winner.

In the women's section, York City 'A' can not be caught at the top of their table, while York City Reserves need just a point from their final game tonight to win their group.

Updated: 11:55 Wednesday, June 20, 2001