YORK Tornadoes Ladies team have been crowned champions of the Yorkshire Local League premier division in their debut season.

The title-clinching win came in their penultimate fixture at home to Sheffield Gems, their eight-point success giving them an unassailable lead over second- placed Deighton Diamonds.

The Manor School-based Tornadoes, who formed in January 2014, have recorded ten wins from 11 games in the league, their only defeat coming against defending champions Deighton.

The Deighton defeat could have set up a nervy climax to the campaign, but the Tornadoes got their revenge on their rivals only two weeks later.

The York side opened their season in spectacular fashion, beating fellow newcomers Spen Valley Vipers 75-4 in August.

They have faced far sterner tests since, including narrow victories on the road at cup holders Leeds Trinity Tigers, by one point, and at Harrogate Raiders, where the sides were only separated by two additional periods of over time.

Those narrow margins of victory have helped boost the confidence of the troops, according to head coach Arnie Johnson.

“We knew that we had a squad of very talented players,” he said.

“But we also knew that several of the teams in this league had been playing together for a number of years and were incredibly well organised, so we knew it would be difficult.

“The girls worked their socks off in pre-season, playing a significant number of friendly games to ensure we could iron out some of the kinks and really hit the road running when the season got under way.

“It was also partly because we had so many tune-up matches that we were able to forge an excellent team spirit between the girls which, coupled with the grit and desire they have shown in the close games, is what has really allowed this group to do so well.

“It really is a fantastic achievement and totally deserved for the amount of effort that every single player has displayed over the last 12 months.”

Meanwhile, the York Tornadoes men’s first team moved up to fourth place in the Local League Premier with a 98-56 win at Horsforth’s first team.

Leeds Lithuania defeated Bradford to ensure they retained their top flight title.

In the third tier, the Tornadoes’ second team occupy pole position, having won 12 and lost one of their fixtures.

With only three games left to play, they will be hoping they can achieve promotion to division one in their first season of competitive action.

Highlights of the games, as well as information about dates or how to join the club, can be found at www.yorktornadoes.co.uk