East Mids end on a high to seal third

EAST Midlands signed off their Bill Beaumont Cup campaign with a comfortable home victory over Northumberland at Ampthill.

The 2016 County Championship Plate winners went on the offensive from the off and Karim Lynch got the ball rolling with two tries, both converted by Steffan Jones, before the visitors halved the deficit through a Tom Bramwell score, Ryan Murray adding the extras.

Seven minutes into the second half, Carl Burgess crossed the line with a catch and drive following a lineout, with Joe Daniel, who was making his tentth appearance for East Mids, converting.

A try from captain Maamu Molitka, who also plays for host club Ampthill, and a sweeping counter-attacking move finished off by Kieran O’Connor, saw the hosts hold a dominant 26-7 lead.

Northumberland hit back with a Michael Walton try but East Midlands ensured that they had the last laugh as they worked the ball wide from a scrum and teed up wing Luke Hibberd to dot down with five minutes left.

The hosts finished third in Division One North behind Yorkshire and table-toppers Lancashire, who go on to contest the County Championship title at Twickenham next Sunday.