CITY of York Hockey Club have returned to action after a pandemic-enforced break with a mix of results across their men’s and ladies’ teams.

There was no fixture for Men I in Yorkshire & North East Hockey League premier division.

In Yorkshire One, Men II, suffered an opening-day 4-1 defeat at home to Wakefield.

James Hogg got the only City goal.

Men III fell to a 3-1 defeat at Sheffield University Bankers, where Austin Pattison got the visitors’ consolation.

With a mix of youth and experience in the side, Men IV beat Sheffield Hallam III 4-2.

City took an early lead when Pip Cook picked the pocket of the Hallam centre-back and took the ball through into the ‘D’, slipping it under the keeper.

Hallam equalised shortly after but York regained the lead with a great passing movement down the right, finished off by a strike from Rob Prentice from the top of the ‘D’.

Once again, Sheffield came back and scored with a flick just before half-time.

York dominated in the second half and scored through Justin Lancellotte and man-of-the-match Aaron Clements to secure a well-deserved win.

Men V enjoyed a 3-2 win at Bradford II thanks to strikes from Alex Stephenson, George Trowsdale and James Gilbert.

Men VI went down 4-1 at Ben Rhydding IV. The visitors took the lead through James Hogg but found themselves 3-1 down at half-time.

York came back into the game in the second half but failed to capitalise on their pressure.

Neil Reader put on a superb solo show with five goals to give Men VIII a 5-0 win over visiting Scarborough III.

Adam Dobson and Oliver Zen-Knight scored in Men IX’s defeat at Scarborough III on Sunday.

City of York Ladies I got their Yorkshire & North East League premier division season off to a flyer with a 3-0 win at home to Leeds University.

York were quick out of the blocks and their quick counter-attacks put the visitors under plenty of pressure. With the midfield three of Lucy Barker, Kate Barker and Georgia Whitaker dominating the play, one such breakaway ended with Laura Horne converting Whitaker’s cross from the left.

After denying Leeds’ advances at the start of the second half, York doubled their advantage from a short corner training ground routine. A slip right from the top of the ‘D’ was directed to Lucy Barker, who played a precision pass towards the left post where Lily Rowntree deflected the ball in.

With seconds to play, York got their third from a penalty corner when player-of-the-match Whitaker converted Emily Gee’s assist.

Ladies II lost 3-2 at Slazengers I. Corinne Wray put the visitors in front but the table swiftly turned as Slazengers pulled 3-1 ahead.

Player-of-the-match Abi Tugwell pulled off a fantastic penalty save to keep York in it but Grace Law’s late goal proved only a consolation.

Ladies III drew 1-1 at home to Slazengers II, Liz Armitage giving York the lead before Slazengers found a first-half equaliser.

Allyson Rae netted as ladies IV lost 5-1 at Bridlington.

Ladies V started their season with a 2-0 win at home against Tadcaster Magnets II, Elspeth Livett and Sarah Davies scoring.

Ladies VI enjoyed a 13-0 thumping of newly-formed clubmates Ladies VII. Linda Skelton, Anwen Hughes, Georgia Cooper, Jenny Shaw (3), Louise Flatters (4) and Adelle Bryden-Brown (3) scored.