THE superior strength of Lancashire's forwards, everyone of whom played rugby in Division 1 this season, resulted in a rather drab match, only occasionally illuminated by moments of enterprising back play.
A powerful gale also proved something of a handicap, but at least Lancashire kick off their county campaign with a victory.
When Lancashire defied the wind to lead by 13-6 at half time, one anticipated a flood of points, but Cheshire's backs began to make an increasingly impressive contribution, and ended up scoring the try of the match through Manchester centre Isaac Richmond, following a brilliant run by his winger David Strett from Rotherham.
Richmond's centre partner Marcus Coast, once of New Brighton but now at Caldy, also had an excellent game, as did scrum-half Anthony Birley, who still plays most of his rugby at Rake Lane.
In fairness to Lancashire's young fly-half Neil Hunter and his fellow backs they were given very little ball, especially in the first half, as tough nuts like prop Martin O'Keefe, Paul Arnold, Richard Senior and Tim Fourie continually kept it close and drove forward several yards at a time.
Fourie crossed for the opening two tries with Hunter adding two penalties. A splendid run by Strett almost enabled Cheshire to hit back but Arnold thundered in for another Lancashire try before Cheshire's Richmond flew over in the corner.
Sedgeley scrum-half Dave McCormack touched down again for Lancashire, but Neil Dowridge had the last word for Cheshire.
