The focus then shifted to the final of the Bill Beaumont Division 1, with the men in black and gold facing Cheshire at Twickenham. Cornwall had followed their convincing 78-12 home win against Hampshire with another definitive 50-24 victory away to Hertfordshire to see them through.

As title holders, they had beaten Cheshire in their last final, winning their sixth County Championship title with a stoppage-time 14-12 victory. Both teams were back at the Home of England Rugby after that 2019 encounter, the pandemic having delayed further matches. The break didn’t dampen spirits, however, as the fans cheered Cornwall’s first minute opening try from Redruth full back and Cornish Pirate-to-be Will Trewin.

St Austell’s Kyle Marriott led the team out after the break 21-0 ahead and, despite Cheshire coming back well in the second half, replacement scrum half Mike Austin from Cinderford scored a pacey try to put the result beyond doubt, the county finishing with a 24-37 victory to complete a famous hat trick of titles,

Wearing Cornwall colours clearly means a great deal to all teams in the Duchy and the travelling support went home delighted with the result.