JUBILANT Blackburn Northern captain Nasser Malik believes the best side came out on top in last night's dramatic conclusion to the Ramsbottom Cup Final.

In a nerve-wracking ending to the Ribblesdale League's showpiece event, Northern stole glory with a one wicket triumph over Baxenden.

The hosts resumed play on 74-3 with 24 overs remaining, chasing down Baxenden's 141, after rain foiled any chance of a Sunday finish.

And following a see-saw battle, in front of a good crowd at Pleckgate Road, Northern prevailed with tail-enders Mohammed Arshad and Raza Hussain combining to steer them home in the penultimate over of the match.

Skipper Malik was delighted with his side's success - their first Ramsbottom Cup win since 1968 - and feels it was just reward for Northern's elder statesman.

"It was a great win. We really enjoyed it," said Malik.

"It means a lot. A lot of the lads have been around here a long time and I think we deserved it.

"We worked really hard. Naeem has been a really big influence on the team, not only in the middle, but it is his wealth of knowledge which is second to none.

"But there's a lot of people - the old guard as we call them - that have waited a long time for this.

"It's nice for them and they've worked really hard for this. It is what they have been aiming for and they have something to show for it."

Malik, however, admits either side could have won in a tense finale.

He added: "It was a bit of a pressure cooker situation for the lads. At one point, I was in the toilet and I heard a big cheer. I was just hoping it was for us!

"But we bat all the way down.

"Granted, it was a bit closer than what we would have liked, but that's the Blackburn Northern style!"

Northern looked to be cruising to victory at one point, as professional Devendra Bundela and Abdul Bisoodwal, continuing their stand from Sunday, piled up 73 for the fourth-wicket partnership.

But Baxenden hit back with a stream of wickets. Jonathan Fielding accounted for Bisoodwal, who steered to Simon Payne at second slip on 32, and bowled Naeem Ashraf for two.

The wicket of top-scored Bundela (46) looked to turn the tide in Bash's favour, and they were in a strong position following the quick dismissals of Ashfaq Patel and Malik, leaving Northern on 120-8.

However, Arshad and Farouk Butt both slammed sixes, until the latter was sensationally caught on the boundary by Callum Waddington.

With nine needed, last man Hussain (6 not out) and Arshad (15 not out) managed to find the winning runs, as Northern reached 142-9.

Baxenden's Dominic Bulcock was deservedly named man-of-the-match.