NEWCOMERS York Tornadoes racked up a huge 75-4 win over Spen Valley Vipers in their first ever Yorkshire Ladies Basketball League outing.

The Tornadoes had been preparing for their league debut since starting training eight months ago and were champing at the bit to get going after playing 16 friendlies.

The York side were without injured key players Alice Middleton and Leona Williams, but Spen Valley Vipers, who were also playing their first league game, were unable to deal with their early pace.

Captain Donna Smith was quickly getting the ball down the court to Sophie Bennett and Alice Makahamadze, both of whom were putting on a fast break clinic that the away side had no answer to.

With Middleton and Romina Rodriguez picking off several steals in quick succession, Tornadoes ratcheted up the pressure and ended the first quarter with a commanding 21-0 lead.

The second quarter continued very much in the same vein, with the away side putting in a lot of effort but being unable to score against a resolute and organised defence.

Rebecca Mendoza came off the bench to add ten points and she combined well with Kennedy McLaughlin to increase the lead further.

In the third and fourth quarters, York extended the lead due to some sharp passing which was being converted by Bennett and Rodriguez.

The scoring was led by Bennett, with 23 points, and Makahamadze, with 21.

Coach Arnie Johnson said: "All of the girls have been working so hard throughout the summer.

"They did incredibly well and it was a joy to see how far the team has come.

"The side looked organised and disciplined throughout and no doubt ready to take on some of the tougher sides in the division.

"There are some excellent female players in the city and hopefully we can do well this year."

On the men's front, Tornadoes 1 have started life in the Yorkshire Premier Division well with one loss and two wins, the most recent being a 114-64 success over Horsforth.

The newly-formed Tornadoes 2 have opened up with three straight wins in division two.

Further information about the club is available by visiting the website www.yorktornadoes.co.uk