Brighouse & Rastrick, conducted by Professor David King, have been crowned Saddleworth and Oldham District Whit Friday champions.

Familiar yet unfamiliar

The National Champions, who are renowned for traditionally playing 'Ravenswood', opted for George Allan's 'Knight Templar' this year and with victories at five of the eight contests at which they competed, it proved to be a fully justified decision.

The triumph saw them take the Whit Friday title for the first time since 2008, and following the National win in London last October and the Area success in March, Professor David King has now secured three successive competitive victories with the band — and Preston and the English National Championships is just a week away.

Five of the best

Successes at Delph (£1,000), Diggle (£750), Dobcross (£750), Greenfield (£1,000) and Grotton (£600), together with a third place at Diggle (£350) pocketed the West Riding outfit £4,450.

And with the Saddleworth overall prize of £2,500 and an additional £280 obtained from various individual solo and deportment awards, Brighouse eneded the night with a whopping £7,230.

A fifth at Greenacres and ninth at Uppermill were the only two contests where the band didn't pick up any prizes.

The National Champions earnings for Whit Friday are a whopping £7k4BR

Battle for second

Meanwhile, the battle for second and third place though was the tighest it has been for years.

Leyland conducted by Richard Evans performed, 'The Wizard' and took second place overall thanks to victories at Diggle (£600) and Lydgate (£800).

Further podium successes came at Dobcross (£500), Greenacres (£500), Lees & Springhead along with Scouthead, and the band didn't finish playing until just past midnight on Saturday when they came fifth at Delph (£250).

Three for third

With Hepworth, Marsden Silver and Rothwell Temperance all vying for third place, their identical aggregate scores meant the best seventh contest score had to be to taken into the equation.

With Marsden conducted by Paul Andrews claiming a fourth, and both Hepworth and Rothwell a fifth place, the honours went to the Senior Cup champion.

Local pride

The hard fought local prize went to Co-operative Milnrow conducted by Phil Rosier who beat off the challenge of the youthful Oldham (Lees) with Diggle in third. Dobcross Youth was declared the 2011 Youth champion.

Central prize night

The Saddleworth and Oldham District Awards night will take place on Sunday 26th June in Delph Band Club at 8pm.

Saddleworth Top 10:

1. Brighouse & Rastrick
2. Leyland
3. Marsden Silver
4= Hepworth
4= Rothwell Temperance
6. Hammonds Saltaire
7. United Northwest Milnrow
8. Oldham (Lees)
9. Pemberton Old Wigan DW
10. Rainford