Rugby - Cumbria miss out on Twickers trip (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Rugby - Cumbria miss out on Twickers trip

12:05pm Thursday 26th May 2011 in Sport

CUMBRIA’S hopes of a place at Twickenham next Sunday in the County Championship Plate final were denied by a Surrey side which came back from a 17-10 deficit early in the second-half to win 22-17.

Surrey scored after 30 seconds when wingman Mike Perelak crossed and were 10-0 ahead after 14 minutes when George Owen scored on the opposite flank.

Cumbria wingman Gavin Cartmell cut the arrears with a try that full-back Alistair Ledingham converted and the No 15 then gave his side a 14-10 interval lead when he crossed for a try and converted.

His penalty early in the second-half extended Cumbria’s advantage, but a try by prop Charlie Connors and another from fly-half Matt Noble, converted by Steve Munford, put Surrey back in charge.

Though Cumbria pressed hard in the closing stages to snatch the winner, Surrey held firm and deservedly claimed their place at Twickenham.