YORK Vikings senior men’s basketball team made their bow as a National League side - suffering a 77-60 home defeat in the National Cup to Calderdale Explorers on Sunday.

After having won the local Leeds League last season, the Vikings made a successful application to join the National League, and will play in division four north. The cup tie kicked off their season.

Despite Calderdale taking the lead early in the contest, York turned the game around to lead 35-32 at half time.

The next half, however, was to be York’s downfall as Calderdale ratcheted up the pressure, while the home side’s lack of competitive experience led to some poor decisions being made, and, ultimately, a 28-7 loss in the third quarter.

York won the final quarter by a point, but it was not enough to prevent their first loss at this higher level.

Coach and director David Weeks is taking the positives from this late display of resilience, saying “there were a lot of good points to build on in this game despite the loss”.

Former team captain and director Kevin Bishop has his eyes set on the Vikings’ next meeting with Calderdale, whose ex-manager, Dave Smith, is York’s current director.

He said: “We get to play Calderdale in the league so we know what to expect and will work hard on turning this loss into a league win.”

York’s next home game will tip off at 2.45pm against Myerscough on Sunday, October 8.