Yorkshire will once again meet Kent in the Bill Beaumont County Championship Division 1 final at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham after defeating rivals Lancashire 36-22 at a packed-out Fylde RFC. (Photo Credit: Mike Inkley)

Following one victory apiece in Pool 1, whoever won this ‘War of the Roses’ clash knew they would be heading to England HQ and Hull Ionians talisman Lewis Minikin ensured it would be a re-run of last year’s final after scoring a try, assisting another and landing two conversions for Yorkshire.

Lee Denham’s troops scored four first-half tries at Woodlands with Christian Hooper and Elliot Fisher (Sheffield), Jack Townend (Rotherham) and George Mewburn all crossing.

Home favourites Cameron Smith and Corey Bowker (Fylde) kept Lancs in touch going into the break, but Yorkshire were able to tighten their grip on proceedings. Minikin, who had beautifully set up Fisher’s first-half score, grabbed try number five for the white rose while Sheffield centre Will Smith completed the job on his county debut.

Lancashire vice-captain Tom Ailes and Fylde’s Lewis Quinn matched Yorkshire’s efforts in the second period, but it wasn’t enough for them to reach Twickenham.

Yorkshire will now prepare for the final against holders Kent in two weeks time, looking to avenge their narrow 31-30 defeat of last year.

Over in Pool 2, Cornwall ended their County Championship campaign on a winning note after beating Hampshire 41-32 in a pulsating contest at Hooks Lane.

Camborne’s Harry Larkins and Redruth’s Dan Rutter were among the scorers for Cornwall, who were guided to victory by skipper Matt Shepherd who scored two tries and kicked 11 points.

Hampshire did notch six tries of their own with Richmond’s Lewis Dennett, Guernsey’s Jack Colbourne (2), and Worthing duo Fraser Bruce and Thomas Meyer all scoring but in the end, the hosts were edged out.

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