1981–82 Rugby Union County Championship

1981–82 Thorn EMI County Championship
Countries	England
Champions	Lancashire (12th title)
Runners-up	North Midlands

The 1981–82 Thorn EMI Rugby Union County Championship was the 82nd edition of England's County Championship rugby union club competition.^[1][2][3]

Lancashire won their 12th title after defeating North Midlands in the final.^[4][5] The final proved to be Lancashire and England captain Bill Beaumont's last rugby match. Beaumont left the field with concussion following a head injury during the first half and was subsequently advised to retire from playing immediately to avoid the risk of further injury causing permanent damage.^[6]

Second Round

Team One	Team Two	Score
North Midlands	Notts, Lincs & Derby	16-13

Semi finals

Date	Venue	Team One	Team Two	Score
28 Nov	Moseley	North Midlands	Middlesex	22-14
28 Nov	Kingsholm	Gloucestershire	Lancashire	16-24

Final

31 January 1982

North Midlands	3–7	Lancashire
Pen: Cusworth		Try: Wright Pen: O'Brien

The Reddings, Moseley Referee: J A F Trigg (London)

Ian Metcalfe Moseley M Fisken Moseley Dave Shorrock Moseley Richard Lawson Moseley John Goodwin Moseley Les Cusworth (capt) Leicester Steve Morley Moseley Trevor Corless Moseley Gary Cox Moseley Steve Acaster Moseley Bob Barr Moseley Richard Tuckwood Moseley John Davidson Moseley R Sadler Coventry Derek Nutt Moseley Replacements: I Bowland Moseley (for Nutt)

Kevin O'Brien Broughton Park John Carleton Orrell Tony Wright Sale Tony Bond Sale Mike Slemen Liverpool Peter Williams Orrell Steve Smith Sale Dave Tabern Fylde M Dixon Fylde Sammy Southern Orrell P H Moss Orrell Bill Beaumont (capt) Fylde Jim Syddall Waterloo Terry Morris Liverpool K R Moss Liverpool Replacements: David Cusani Orrell (for Beaumont)

See also

• English rugby union system
• Rugby union in England

References

1. Jones, Stephen (1991) [1990]. Rothmans Rugby Yearbook. Rothmans Publications Ltd. pp. 152–153. ISBN 0-356-19162-1.
2. "English County Championship". Rugby Football History.
3. "The County Finals". County Rugby.com.
4. "West, Peter. "Centenary celebration is delayed but not cancelled." Times, 1 Feb. 1982, p. 16". Times Digital Archives.
5. ""Weekend results." Times, 1 Feb. 1982, p. 16". Times Digital Archives.
6. Beaumont, Bill (1983). Thanks To Rugby - the Autobiography. London: Arrow Books. pp. 11–13. ISBN 0099323001.