Blackburn Northern are Veka Ribblesdale League senior division champions for the first time since 1981.

Following last month's Ramsbottom Cup success, Northern secured the double with weekend wins over Baxenden and Great Harwood.

Despite a thrilling 21 run success over their nearest challengers on Saturday, the title could have gone to the final game of the season.

However, the disappointment of throwing away a great chance of victory at Back Lane 24 hours earlier, unsettled Baxenden who yesterday slumped to a 77 run defeat at Whalley.

So, the champagne corks were popping again at Pleckgate Road when the toast was Indian professional, Devendra Bundela.

He was instrumental in both victories; notably the so-called championship decider against Ramsbottom Cup runners-up, Baxenden.

Jonathan Fielding helped reduce the visitors to 102-8 from 34 overs. But ably abetted by Farooq Butt, who contributed a vital unbeaten 24, Bundela finished with 112 from a winning total of 182-8.

He then added an undefeated 84 from 160 as Northern defeated Great Harwood by 57 runs last night.

It's been a great turnaround in 12 months for the new champions. Last season they managed only seven league victories in finishing fourth bottom.

Bradmon Edinweera ended Baxenden's hopes at Station Road. He cracked 67 as Whalley reached 170-9 and then added 5-19 as the visitors slumped to 93 all out.

Despite their double disappointment Baxenden, third in 2006, have secured runners-up spot from Padiham.

Padiham finished strongly by hammering Barnoldswick by 152 runs-Kashif Siddique hitting a century-and then registering a maximum points victory over Read yesterday.

Defending champions Clitheroe also notched two wins over Oswaldtwistle Immanuel and Barnoldswick; Kiwi pro Michael Papps hit back to back half centuries. Andrew Pearce achieved a hat-trick in the 56 runs success against Ossie.' Padiham have run away with the second division title but there's plenty of unfinished business in division one.

Brinscall lead Ribblesdale Wanderers with a game to play. However, Salesbury are only 11 adrift but have a match in hand.

Their game at Clitheroe yesterday was postponed due to their involvement in the Lancashire Shield final at Wigan.

The match has been re-scheduled for September 22.