PENDLE'S Senior Ladies, nicknamed the Sunny Team, continued this season's cup exploits with an appearance in the final of the North of England Inter-Club Competition on Sunday.

It was their second Cup Final in a month following their trip to Bedford for the nationally contested Jubilee Cup Plate Final.

This time though they had company for the trip to Cudworth as the club's men had qualified for the Plate Final.

The Plate Final is for teams outside the Premier, First and Second divisions and the men qualified for the first time since it's inception in 1999.

In the preliminary round at Oldham they squeezed through by three points after a close tussle with Burnley.

Laura Finucane, who was on international duty when the Jubilee Final was held, demonstrated her value to the team with second place in the 800m registering a time of 2:15.78.

Under 17 Naomi Biddle set a PB in the 3000m and there were fourth places for Fiona Corrigan in the 400m, Debbie Lund in the hammer, and 1500m specialist Victoria Rusius as the women finished sixth of eight.

David Thornton scored heavily for the men, winning the 800m in 1:58.54, taking third in the individual 400m, and combining with Chris Rusius, David Lowe and Bryce Butterworth to place third in the 4x400m relay.

Tony Balko, the hero of the qualifier, was third in the discus, while David Read was third in the javelin. The team finished seventh.