York have won the YPL title three times in five years

Harrogate hinted at better times ahead in the Yorkshire Premier League, after finishing bottom in last season's competition, with a 65-run win at Hull.

They posted 162, with spinner Hasif Mohammed taking 4-33, to dismiss Hull for 97 to record an eight-point win.

Harrogate chairman Miles Rawlings told BBC Radio York: "We lost our first two games very narrowly.

"To beat Guisborough in the National Knock-out and Hull on Monday in the Yorkshire League was very uplifting."

Rawlings added on the subject of Hasif: "He played for us two years ago, but unfortunately because of family problems he wasn't able to play for us last year, so we're very pleased to have him back."

I would hope we'd finish in the top half of the table Harrogate chairman Miles Rawlings

An important part of Harrogate's early-season revival is the return of John Proud as skipper. He served the club as opening batsman in the early 1990s and helped them reach a National Knock-out Cup final at Lord's.

"Being a very young side, it's absolutely vital to have an older head leading them and giving them some stability," said Rawlings.

"I would hope we'd finish in the top half of the table," he added. "That may be a bit ambitious but at least around halfway."

Defending YPL champions York made it three wins out of three with a home win over Doncaster by 162 runs.

Duncan Snell scored 120 as York piled up 256-5, and then skittled Doncaster out for 94 to take the full eight points.

Scarborough's game at Castleford was called off because of bad weather.

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