NORTH Midlands made a successful start to their defence of the County Championship Shield with a hard-earned 24-12 win over Cumbria at Penrith.
The result was in the balance until skipper Duncan Hughes, the Stourbridge and England Counties fly-half, landed two injury-time penalties with the help of a strong downfield wind at his back.
North Midlands took an early lead with the first of Hughes' penalties before Cumbria hit back with a try from their captain Adrian Bateson.
But a well-worked try from Lydney winger Tom Beechey helped North Midlands regain the initiative just before half-time and he was followed to the line by Malvern full-back Dave King.
Cumbria reduced the lead to 18-12 when Penrith full-back Stephane Helies crossed for a converted try, but Hughes held his nerve to give North Midlands victory.
North Midlands continue their Shield campaign with a home game against Devon at Stourbridge next Saturday.
The top team in the group will progress to the final to be staged at Twickenham on May 29.
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