City of York I began the second half of the Northern Counties Hockey League Premiership with a 3-1 defeat to Doncaster.

Last-minute withdrawls didn't help York's cause and they found themselves 2-0 down inside 15 minutes.

Slowly they clawed their way back into the contest and after a spell of good possession earned their reward five minutes before the interval when Chris Wilson netted from a short corner.

City continued to press, but Doncaster frequently caught York off-guard on the break.

It was through one of those counter-attacks Doncaster netted a third goal to leave York close to the bottom of the division.

Alterations to the first team had a knock-on effect to the City of York second-string, who lost 1-0 at Division Two East leaders Rotherham.

York began well, taking the game to Rotherham and forcing several short corners. But the home side dug in and denied York the goal their enterprising play deserved.

Rotherham were limited to the occasional break, but York paid the price for not converting their chances when Rotherham, who had not even forced a short corner, worked their way into the York circle and a forward fired past goalkeeper Simon Burnett.

There were goals galore as City of York III beat Slazengers II 5-3 after trailing 2-0 in the first half in Yorkshire League division four.

Alex Fletcher converted a penalty flick to keep York in contention and after the interval York upped the tempo and some smart passing stretched the Slazengers' defence.

Two open-play goals by Jason Bemrose put York in the driving seat before Simon Williams gave York a two-goal cushion which soon became three when Rob Blackburn added a fifth York goal before Slazengers hit a late consolation.

Ben Dutton fired City of York IV ahead against Bradford University II in division five as Ian Wiggins and the rest of York's midfield seized control of the match.

Dutton added a second before the students hit a purple patch, pulling a goal back and putting York under pressure. But York defended strongly and Ed Shouksmith made the points safe with York's third goal.

City of York V had to contend with a much-changed side and a pitch that was beginning to freeze when they started their division seven game at Huddersfield V rather late in the day.

Huddersfield opened the scoring early on, but York levelled through Luke Ramli's flick after an accurate cross from Richard Jenkin.

Despite more York pressure, Huddersfield regained the lead but the visitors gained a deserved point when Roz Ramli scrambled in the equaliser.

City of York VI, who also play in division seven, were beaten 3-1 at home by a strong West Yorkshire Police side.

James Still put away York's goal and James Owen, promoted from York VII, worked tirelessly in midfield.

Owen's seventh-team colleagues looked to be heading for a big win over Lincoln Imps III after two goals by Tom Duncan put them in charge at the interval.

But York lost their composure after Lincoln pulled a goal back and conceded the equaliser during a poor ten-minute period.

Eventually they got back on track and veteran Dick Bowen netted the crucial goal for York in a 3-2 win.

City of York VIII felt they were mugged by Harrogate VI, losing 1-0 after their forwards missed a string of chances and when they did hit the target found Harrogate's 'keeper in fine form.

All of the Yorkshire Youth League games were frosted off.

Updated: 11:53 Tuesday, January 16, 2001