RUGBY: Cumbria made sure of their place in the County Championship Shield next season with a 34-19 win over Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire at Aspatria, which provided a perfect vehicle for a reunion of the side that won the championship at Twickenham a decade ago.
Both teams went into the game needing a victory to avoid relegation, but it was the home side that were first out of the blocks and they took a 20-0 lead with a strong wind at their backs.
Cumbria took control with tries by Penrith centre Paul Lowes, Carlisle wing Lewis Boyd and Penrith centre Martin Armstrong, Aspatria fly-half Mike Scott adding a conversion and a penalty.
NL&D reduced the deficit when winger Adam Draper (Ilkeston) crossed in injury-time and Danny Graney, of Paviors, added the conversion.
Cumbria pulled further ahead after the break with a second Boyd try before Draper scored his second and Aspatria centre Andrew Miller also crossed, with Scott converting, before replacement scrum-half Andy Jacques, of Paviors, went over for a late consolation effort which Graney improved.
County Championship Shield May 5: Northumberland 42 Cumbria 31, Notts Lincs & Derbys 22 Warwickshire 56.
May 12: Cumbria 26 Warwickshire 31 at Carlisle, Notts Lincs & Derby 10 Northumberland 43 at Scunthorpe.
May 19: Cumbria 34 Notts Lincs & Derby 19 at Aspatria, Warwickshire 23 Northumberland 17 at Coventry.
May 27: Final - Warwickshire v Somerset at Coventry, Sunday May 27
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