Harrogate Hockey Club's Men's 2s head into Christmas break five points clear at top of the table

Saturday’s 4-1 away victory saw Josh Lyon’s team sign off for 2025 in style, and means that they head into the Christmas break five points clear at the top of Yorkshire Division Two.

Oliver Sanderson broke the deadlock early on, and although the hosts responded soon afterwards, skipper Lyon struck within 60 seconds of that equaliser to make it 2-1 after 12 minutes.

Four minutes later, Will Rogers found the net to put ‘Gate in control, before the same player struck his second of the afternoon to wrap things up just before the hour mark.

Having tasted defeat just once during their opening 12 league outings, Lyon in his men finish the year with a decent lead over second-placed City of York 3s.

Their next opportunity to extend that advantage will come on January 10 away at Leeds 4s when league action resumes.

Harrogate’s Men’s 1s are not faring anywhere near as well in the Yorkshire & North East Premier Division.

Joe Horne and his troops find themselves winless in seven attempts after going down 3-2 at home to Wakefield on Saturday.

The Ainsty Road outfit led twice thanks to goals from Toby Blaker and Tom Gugan, but eventually finished up empty-handed.

That result leaves ‘Gate eighth in the table, where they sit three places and six points clear of the relegation zone.

Next up is a home showdown with Sheffield University Bankers on January 10.

Harrogate’s Ladies 1s saw their three-game unbeaten run ended by Yorkshire & North East Premier Division leaders Stokesley.

Relegated from the Conference North at the end of last term after a season of real struggle, things have not exactly gone to plan for Evie Barnard's team in 2025/26.

A sequence of five consecutive losses left them bottom of the pile in November and staring down the barrel at another demotion.

But they have improved in recent weeks and, having moved within touching distance of safety following a win and two draws, gave a decent account of themselves again at the weekend.

Despite falling behind to their title-chasing visitors with only five minutes on the clock, ‘Gate were never out of the contest and Jaclyn Smith’s second goal in as many matches gave them hope of getting another result.

They were however beaten 2-1 in the end, with that result leaving them four points adrift of safety heading into the New Year.

They return to action on January 10 when they host local rivals Leeds 2s.

Following back-to-back losses in Yorkshire Division One, Harrogate Ladies 2s put a point on the board when they visited Wakefield 3s.

Saturday’s 2-2 draw leaves Sarah Jones’ side ninth in the table after 12 rounds of fixtures.

They get underway for 2026 with a trip to University of Leeds 1s on January 10.