Blackburn Harriers were third in the final of the Northern League Cup Final at Cudworth, Barnsley to replicate their performance of 12 months ago.

It was another superb performance as they finished the top Lancashire team ahead of Blackpool and Fylde.

In fact this was arguably an even better show than in 2005 as they came within two points of the mighty Sale Harriers as National League side Trafford won the prestigious title.

Blackburn even relegated Premier Division outfit Wakefield to fourth place.

The Harriers were confident they could cause an upset and get a podium finish again and that was realised when many of their top stars came good.

Ben Fish won the North of England 10,000 metres title as this championship was incorporated in the race - just as it was last year when he also won.

Once again Ben improved his personal best to 30:33 in blustery conditions, breaking away from Bashir Hussain early on.

Paul Bradshaw produced a victory with 1:58.98 in the 800m, and so did Chris Hart in the 3,000m steeplechase with 9:54.12.

Bradshaw was also third in the 400m as Tom Cornthwaite placed second in the 5,000m, Paul Whittle took third in the high hurdles and Mark Birchall was third in the javelin.

The women's team was led by top thrower Sarah Henton who had given up a spot in the UK Challenge final at Sportscity to compete for her club.

She won the discus with a throw of 44 metres and broke the club hammer record with 28.78m as she made third in both the hammer and shot.