CITY of York Hockey Club Ladies I kept apace with Yorkshire and North East League premier division leaders Newcastle University I thanks to a 4-1 win at Morpeth I.

A Lily Rowntree brace combined with strikes from Emily Gee and Niamh Clements to secure the points for York, who remain only a point behind Newcastle.

York strengthened their goal difference, which is four better than the North East club and may prove pivotal in the title race.

York made a strong start, scoring inside the first 10 minutes through Gee.

The captain converted a penalty stroke after Clements had been fouled.

Rowntree doubled that lead after expertly slipping the ball home from a short corner routine alongside Loz Pearey and Heather Macdonald.

Morpeth pulled one back before half time but the two-goal cushion was restored by Rowntree's second, the twice-scorer capitalising after Clements' interception.

Clements turned from assister to scorer, lifting the ball over the goalkeeper late on to take York's tally to four.

Elsewhere, City of York II lost 2-1 to Huddersfield Dragons I, with Chloe Robinson the only scorer for the hosts.

Desi Williams and Rachel Hildreth goals led City of York III beat Selby I 2-0.

A Nicola Winter brace combined with a Lily Anderson strike as City of York IV won 3-1 at Pickering I.

City of York V lost 5-1 to Leeds University III, the VI side were beaten 2-0 at Tadcaster Magnets II and the VII outfit fell to a 4-0 defeat at home to Selby II.

Meanwhile, City of York Men I won an eight-goal thriller with Harrogate I 5-3.

Danny Ellwood and Alex Cockram each contributed braces while Sam Boon was also on the scoresheet.

City of York II were beaten 4-1 by Rotherham I while City of York III lost 5-1 to Leeds IV. Austen Patterson and Anthony Guest provided the York goals respectively.

James Gilbert provided the only resistance as City of York V were defeated 3-1 by Thirsk I.

Nico Stott's double was in vain as Leeds University II overcame City of York VII 4-2.

City of York IV lost 4-1 to Leeds V, the VI outfit fell to a 6-0 rout at Thirsk II, IV lost the North Yorkshire derby with Harrogate V 5-1and the X side were beaten 1-0 at Ben Rhydding Development II.