ROSSENDALE Raptors Basketball Club produced the greatest feat in its 50-year history after they were crowned national champions.

The Valley side pulled off a shock 91-87 win to beat the highly-fancied Worcester Wolves in the English Basketball League Division Four national play-off final. It was Rossendale’s first ever season in the national league and club chairman Ken Masser was rightly thrilled with the result.

“This is easily the greatest result in our history,” said Masser who played his part in the victory at Medway. “We came in to this league hoping for a mid-table finish so to go on and win our division then be crowned national champions is an incredible feat.”

And there was more good news for the Raptors when star player, Stephen Gayle, (left) was named the EBL Division Four North player of the year.

Gayle finished the season with an outstanding record of 34.8 points per game, 7.7 rebounds and 6.9 assists.

But Gayle, who has previously played national league basketball with Chester Jets, put his reward down to his team-mates.

“I have very much enjoyed playing with the Raptors this season, and in many respects have fallen back in love with the game following a couple of difficult seasons previously,” said Gayle who scored another 28 points in the final.

“It’s a brilliant club that is well managed and well supported, and I appreciate the support from the fans.

“I should also say that without the other guys on the team, I wouldn’t be player of the year – they’ve all been great.”

Raptors reached the final on the back of 20 straight victories which saw them crowned Division Four North champions and play-off wins over Stockport Falcons and Crawley.

But they were still up the Midlands champions who had won all of their league games while the team – all made up of students – won the British Universities Championships.

But Dale got off to a flying start and raced to an early 10-0 lead and led a 31-19 at the end of the first quarter – with Gayle, Ionut Slabu and Angelo Kornecki all finding their range.

Worcester put pressure on danger man Gayle in the second quarter and cut the deficit but Raptors still led 53-46 at the half way stage.

The Raptors changed tactics in the third quarter – switching to a 2-3 zone defence – forcing Wolves in to more speculative shots at the hoop and slowing down their success rate.

Dale took an 11 point lead in to the final quarter but the younger fitter Wolves cut the gap so two timely three pointers from Aitor Estrada kept the Raptors in front.

With two minutes remaining, Raptors led 88-83 which was cut to two points with 15 seconds to go.

However, Raptors kept the cool to seal a memorable 91-97 victory.

Masser is now hoping to build on the team’s success and attract new players.

“We have a great venue at Haslingden Sport Centre and the aim now is to build on this success and try and attract new players and sponsors but, just as importantly, try and keep the players we have.”