CHESHIRE missed out on a Twickenham day out when beaten 37-17 by Lancashire in the deciding match in the Northern group of the County Championship at Macclesfield on Saturday.

Lancashire finish top and will now meet the Southern winners Hertfordshire in the grand final on Sunday at headquarters for the Bill Beaumont Cup.

Cheshire paid for a poor start and a tired looking finish against the Red Rose side.

They were soon 0-17 behind. They rallied well to get to 17-20 midway through the second period but Lancashire then re-asserted themselves to score seventeen unanswered points.

Dave Marwick, Ed Stobbart and Fergus Mulchrone crossed for Cheshire and Tom Foden added one goal. Lancashire scored five tries in all plus three conversions and two penalties.

Cheshire finish runners-up in the group to retain their Division One status. Warwickshire will be relegated.

SEVENS REMINDER: A long season finally comes to an end this Sunday, May 29, with the annual Caldy Sevens at Paton Field. The action will come thick and fast on the field of play and there will also be plenty of side attractions to keep the spectators occupied.