City of York Hockey Club men's 1st XI continued their poor start to the North Premier season with a 3-2 home reverse to Rotherham.

The hosts started brightly enough and took the lead when some good work down the right by Alejandro Lozano led to a melee in the Rotherham 'D'. Rotherham's failure to clear the ball allowed Lee Cuffe to pounce to give York the lead.

But York's passing game in attack failed to materialise and, after getting caught in possession, Rotherham levelled before half-time.

York's Ben Foster mesmerised the Rotherham defence with a mazy run from half-way that finished with him neatly placing the ball past the oncoming 'keeper.

York then missed a golden opportunity, Peter Evans' penalty flick easily saved after Simon Gray was unceremoniously upended.

Not to be put off, York continued to press and thought they had added to their tally at a penalty corner when they squeezed the ball home. However, the umpire had blown for another Rotherham infringement and the ensuing penalty corner this time was not converted.

Rotherham were galvanised and equalised shortly after as Danny Berry took command for the visitors. Another penalty corner put them ahead.

York's lack of composure told when Evans was sin-binned for dissent just at a time when York had to throw caution to the wind.

Third from bottom after three games, York have to improve starting away to Oxton on Saturday and then home to Durham University on Sunday.

Adam Cullett proved the main man for City of York II in their impressive 2-1 NHL division two east win over hosts Gateshead 1sts.

After a first half in which the hosts carved out a narrow lead, York took the initiative and a combination between Kyle Hogg and Cullett ended with the latter putting the ball under the Gateshead 'keeper.

Another decisive break for York came after a Gateshead player was dismissed for a dangerous challenge on midfielder Ramli. Then, after a series of errors by the depleted home defence, Cullett struck again for his second and York's winner.

Against a strong Brigg 2nds team, City of York III put in an excellent performance to win 2-1.

John Cattle controlled the midfield for the hosts, whose Richie Cockram and John Pierce scored.

Away to Harrogate 3rds, City of York IV were pipped to the Yorkshire division three points. Dennis Hooten put York ahead, but two second half goals condemned them to defeat.

City of York V showed admirable character before beating a resilient visiting Kings Cross 1sts 4-3. Skipper Greg Sykes, Ben Foster and Ben Hildreth all fired York ahead, only to be pegged back each time. Then, five minutes from the end, Sykes converted a short corner to seal five straight wins this season.

Despite dominating for long spells, City of York VI lost 3-2 at Rotherham 4ths. The prolific Richard Tanner-Smith scored twice, but the brace was in vain as Rotherham took the points.

Visiting Leeds 6ths always had the upper hand against a disappointing City of York VII line-up. The 4-0 defeat would have been heavier but for the goalkeeping heroics of Brian Ignjatovic.

Neither City of York VIII or IX teams had a game.

Updated: 12:53 Tuesday, October 25, 2005