YORK Vikings boss Rich Weeks hailed improvement in his side as they made their historic bow in basketball's National League.

The Vikings' senior men - who made a successful bid to join the national ranks this year after success in the local Leeds League - lost 73-58 at Hull Panthers in division four north.

It follows two defeats in National Cup games with which they began their season. But Weeks said: “This was a much better performance than last week’s cup match.

"Our guys competed for most of the game and we will take lessons away ready for our next match.”

The visitors started the game brightly, ably competing with Hull’s much more experienced side, with team captain and point guard Dan Cucchi a standout performer.

A close first quarter finished with the hosts up by just two points.

There was a change in intensity in the second quarter, however, as Hull took a firmer hold on the game, with some tough inside play and good perimeter shooting. Despite the efforts of power forward Andy Capes, Vikings ended the period down by 10.

Ally Lyons made some good three-pointers and Cucchi created well for the team in an improved second half, but the 10-point deficit proved too great to overcome and a valiant Vikings side slipped to their first National League loss.

The Vikings next take on Myerscough on Sunday at their home venue at York College (2.45pm).