Lancashire beat Cornwall 19-8 to clinch Bill Beaumont County Champs title

Lancashire 19-8 Cornwall, Twickenham Stadium

Lancashire registered their 24th title in the County Championship as they went on to defeat Cornwall 19-8 in the final at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday.

Cornwall, who won the championship in 2015 and 2016, couldn't quite get past the line this time despite a clinical first half performance which saw them gain a 0-8 lead.

Earlier, Lancashire won all their three games in their group stage to top Division 1 North while Cornwall replicated the success in Division 1 South to lock horns with each other on what was their fourth final encounter in five years.

Flanker George Jones opened Cornwall account in the 13th minute with a touchdown but fullback Matt Shepherd failed to add the extras. As both the teams were competing hard, Lancashire suffered a setback through a sin-bin to number eight Tom Ailes in the 30th minute.

A penalty kick from Shepherd at the stroke of the half time saw them claim an eight point lead. Lancashire had a chance to get off the mark but fly-half Chris Johnson missed out on a penalty that hit the posts as they ended the first half with a eight point deficit.

Lancashire showed more intent in the second half in a desperate attempt to prevent Cornwall from hat-trick of win as Anthony Bingham crossed over allowing Johnson to add the extras as the gap between the two teams came down to one point.

Tom Burtonwood further pressed on the advantage with a 58th minute but a missed conversion from Johnson meant, Lancashire had a lead of 12-8. The decisive blow though came from a try from Scott Armstrong while Johnson's conversion ensured Lancashire completed a 19-8 victory.

Sam Goatley of Gloucestershire ended as the highest try and point scorer in the tournament.