Top two get ready for county showdown

THE Bill Beaumont County Cup has been overlooked and underfunded by the RFU in recent years, but finalist head coaches Taff Gwilliam and Alex Loney both still see the competition as the ‘lifeblood’ of the community game ahead of today’s final at Twickenham. 

- BEN JAYCOCK

Gwilliam’s Kent meet Loney’s Lancashire at the home of English rugby with both sides unbeaten so far in this year’s competition.

The Division 1 competition was split into two pools of four separated into north and south with the winner of each meeting in the final.

Lancashire topped the North after beating Cheshire 54-19, followed by a 44-39 away triumph over Hertfordshire and a narrow 29-28 win at Yorkshire, with their potent attack scoring 127 points.

“It’s a big part of the calendar for everyone involved in our county. So, we feel really fortunate to be involved in this traditional group format,” said Loney.

“We’re really excited and that was the message we gave at the end of our tight game against Yorkshire as there were a lot of tired bodies out there. The key message this week was to get excited because it’s going to be a good occasion.

“The key is to not get too carried away though with the occasion and celebrating what we’ve already achieved because we made it to the final. Instead we’re focused on being at our best on Sunday to hopefully get that win.”