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 re-union 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 who 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.
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