Cornwall could not repeat their 1999 win over Gloucestershire (Getty)

Cornwall head coach Dave Thomas wants his side to return to Twickenham in 2009 and win the County Championship.

Despite Sunday's 25-11 County Shield loss to Northumberland, Cornwall have won promotion back to the top flight of county rugby.

"Our target now is to come back next year in the final of the Bill Beaumont Cup," Thomas said after the defeat.

Cornwall last won the County Championship title in 1999 when they beat Gloucestershire 25-15.

Cornwall failed to get on the scoresheet until the second half against Northumberland as they lost on their first appearance at Twickenham since their last County Championship final in 2001 when they lost to Yorkshire.

"It's disappointing for all the players and for the spectators who gave us such great backing," said Thomas.

"We didn't play to our potential, Northumberland were a very good side and we lost a lot in contact, so we didn't have enough ball to get the side moving."

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