By Graham Cox

Kent are a win away from back-to-back Bill Beaumont County Championship Division 1 titles.

They will play Yorkshire in the Final at Twickenham on June 15 after Surrey conceded the sides’ last group game at the weekend - meaning Kent, who had already beaten Hampshire and Cornwall, could not be caught in the race to reach HQ.

Last year’s win was the county’s since 1927 and it’s 120 years since Kent reached consecutive county showdowns.

“We’re absolutely delighted to reach Twickenham again,” said Kent director of rugby, Taff Gwilliam.

“It’s the first time Kent have made the Final in consecutive years since 1904.

“It’s a tough pool to get through, especially with Cornwall who are perennial finalists, and a county so passionate about this competition. To beat them two years running, home and away, is in itself an achievement.”

Surrey’s withdrawal means that Kent have a three-week gap before the Final with no competitive rugby, but Gwilliam doesn’t see it as a major issue.

“I feel for Surrey having to pull out,” he continued. “A lot of the more experienced players often don’t make themselves available at the end of a long club season, and it can be hard to put together a squad of the quality required.

“It’s the same for all counties, but fortunately the youth we’ve injected into our squad have acquitted themselves exceptionally well.

“We would have preferred to have played the match, but we have training plans in place which will see us well set for the Final.”

Yorkshire achieved their place after defeating Hull Ionians 26-13.