NORTH Midlands ended a disappointing campaign in the County Championship Bill Beaumont Cup Second Division South with a 14-7 defeat by Somerset at Taunton.

Successive defeats by Kent and Devon meant North Mids had only pride to play for in their final group match and they produced a more resilient performance in wet weather.

But they were still edged out by Somerset, who followed up their win over Kent with another home victory.

Two first-half penalties from Brad Barnes gave Somerset the edge in an evenly-contested first half and a third penalty soon after the break pushed them further clear.

An unconverted try from Alex Giltrow meant North Mids were two converted tries adrift but they rallied strongly in the final quarter.

A try from South Leicester scrum-half Jacob Nash was improved by Stourbridge fly-half Rod Petty, who drop-kicked his conversion to save time and allow a quick restart.

Further North Mids pressure in the dying minutes meant Somerset had to defend doggedly to hold on to their lead and deny Alex Davidson’s side a share of the spoils.