SUPER Salesbury upset the formbook to claim their first major honour since promotion into the Senior League of the Houldsworth Solicitors Ribblesdale League yesterday – and now they will represent the league on the national stage.

Steve Brown’s Red Caps stunned a big crowd at Chatburn Road to be crowned as the champions of the Watson Ramsbottom Solicitors Twenty20 competition.

Clitheroe had gone into the day as favourites to lift the trophy on their own ground.

But after they were knocked out by Edenfield and Salesbury saw off Padiham, it was the Red Caps who were celebrating on a special night.

“It’s unbelievable,” said skipper Steve Brown. “A tremendous feeling for is and it will take a while to sink in.

“We have put a lot of hard work into the club over the past three years and this is a great feeling.

“We go on to represent the league in the national T20 next month now – and we really can’t wait for that, it will be a terrific day out for all of us.”

Susantha Pradeep once again stepped up to the mark for the Red Caps and his half-century in the early morning semi-final settled a close game with Padiham.

The Sri Lankan hit 52 and Mudassar Panchbhaya made 37 as they posted 130 from their knock and Padiham seemed to be coasting with skipper Callum Clarke making a classy 69.

But Brown claimed 2-8 and the Arbories outfit fell just short.

Edenfield beat Clitheroe after restricting Paul Gaskell’s men to 106-5 and they fancied their chances in the final after Salesbury posted 124-5.

But the Red Caps fought back after Paul Gallagher seemed certain to lead Edenfield to victory as they reached 93-1.

But Peter Blackman picked up three cheap wickets and in the end the Gincroft Lane outfit fell nine runs short at the end of a compelling day.

“It’s a terrific feeling,” added Brown, left. “The lads have all bee brilliant and they really deserve this.”