Rugby - Cumbria bow knee to Cheshire (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Rugby - Cumbria bow knee to Cheshire

12:42pm Monday 18th May 2009 in

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CUMBRIA could not stop Cheshire setting themselves up for a 'winner-takes-all' finale in the Northern group of the County Championship Shield in a 34-18 at Aspatria.

The visitors were not as fluent behind the scrum as they had been in their romp against Leicestershire the previous week, but they still managed five tries in a game they were leading 26-6 at one stage.

Once again wingmen Fergus Mulchrone (MacclesfIeld) and Matt Simpson (Leeds Metro Un) scored tries, with hooker Sam Moss (Macclesfield), prop Tom Mantel (Manchester) and lock Matt Owen (Manchester) also crossing.

Manchester fly-half Tom Eaton kicked three conversions and replacement Gavin Roberts (Caldy) added a penalty.

Cumbria had tries by Tynedale hooker Joe Graham and Kirkby Lonsdale centre Dave Barton, with fly-half Steve Wood (Penrith) landing a conversion, penalty and drop-goal.

Cheshire now meet North Midlands at Macclesfield on Saturday, with the winner going to a Twickenham finale.