Rugby Union: Holders granted their just deserts
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Lancashire. . 17
Middlesex. . .11
AS Lancashire have given such unqualified support to the County Championship, it would have been ungracious, if not downright rude, were they to have been denied a ticket for the closing ceremony at Twickenham on 17 April.
For when the last post is sounded, to signal the end of what has become an outdated and increasingly irrelevant competition, no other county can claim to have embraced the original spirit of the tournament so wholeheartedly.
Despite the Championship's declining purpose in recent years, Lancashire have always taken their participation seriously; even though last season they were able to lift their 15th title by fielding a second-choice team.
By narrowly beating Middlesex at Edge Hall Road, Lancashire qualified for their 22nd final; and should they defeat their tribal adversaries Yorkshire, Lancashire will move ahead of Gloucestershire with most wins in the competition's 104-year history.
Meeting Yorkshire in what will be the 100th Roses' championship match, and the first final involving the Pennine counties, will hopefully generate greater incentive and produce more constructive rugby than was on offer in this disjointed, albeit keenly contested, semi-final.
Had Middlesex been able to execute their game plan, Lancashire's celebrations would have ended at source. The visitors' idea was to play into a stiff end-to-end breeze in the first half and restrict the title-holders to one or two scores. After the interval, Middlesex expected to pin Lancashire on the defensive and profit from their mistakes.
Instead, almost the reverse happened. Lancashire pulled out a
17-5 lead before changing ends and thereafter the London county were never able to capitalise.
Gerry Ainscough rediscovered his kicking form in the nick of time and converted four out of five penalty chances. Paul Challinor got two from three for Middlesex and with a try apiece by Chris Tarbuck and Paul Hamer, that was effectively that.
A couple of dramatic surges by the Lancashire pack in the last quarter momentarily brought to mind the great days of the Championship but, in truth, they are gone forever.
Lancashire: Try Hamer; Penalties Ainscough 4. Middlesex: Try Tarbuck; Penalties Challinor 2.
LANCASHIRE: S Taberner (Orrell); S Bromley (Rugby), G Ainscough (Orrell), S Langford (Orrell), P Hamer (Orrell); A Handley (Waterloo), C Saverimutto (Waterloo); J Russell (Broughton Park), G French (Liverpool St Helens), D Southern (Orrell, capt), R Kimmins (Orrell), N Allott (Waterloo), S Gallagher (Orrell), N Ashurst (Orrell), M Kenrick (Sale).
MIDDLESEX: K Bray (Harlequins); M Wedderburn (Harlequins), A Lee (Saracens), R Lozowski (Wasps), M Hutton (Richmond); P Challinor (Harlequins), C Luxton (Richmond); M Hobley (Harlequins, capt), G Botterman (Saracens), S Wilson (Saracens), L Adamson (Saracens), J Fowler (Rosslyn Park), C Tarbuck (Saracens), A Fox (Harlequins), C Sheasby (Harlequins).
Referee: A Spreadbury (Somerset).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments