Longest journeys 25/26
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Topic: Longest journeys 25/26
Posted By: WILD BOAR 1
Subject: Longest journeys 25/26
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2025 at 14:17
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With Syston's promotion to N2W next season, their possible journey to Camborne is 308 miles. Can anyone come up with the longest journeys in N2N & N2E? |
Replies:
Posted By: FHLH
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2025 at 14:48
I'm not sure if Blaydon were in National 1 with Redruth - but that's about 500 miles! No Regional bonus there. I seem to remember Aspatria did well in a Cup about 20 years ago, but 305 for a regional league match sounds outrageous  but I'm sure the RFU computer has got it right------------- "My father told me big men fall just as quick as little ones, if you put a sword through their hearts." |
Posted By: tigerburnie
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2025 at 15:04
| Are Syston confirmed as going to West? |
Posted By: islander
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2025 at 15:34
i'm almost certain that no-one's confirmed as going anywhere at this stage...
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tigerburnie wrote:Posted By: cheshire exile
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2025 at 16:09
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Gone and lamented Mounts Bay RFC had one season in Nat1, which included home-and-away against Tynedale. Syston to Camborne is a trot, but Redruth and Loughborough University have both been part of Nat2W for several seasons.
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Posted By: WILD BOAR 1
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2025 at 16:17
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I've just looked at Tynedale to Lymm (N2N) 160 miles and Canterbury to Oxford Harlequins 130. The point I'm trying to make is since the last regionalisation!!, N2W has really become N2W&M and their total mileage is probably twice that of the other two, which surely cannot be right.
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Posted By: tigerburnie
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2025 at 16:58
| Didn't one club basically refuse to go into West as they said they could not afford the travel costs recently. |
Posted By: WILD BOAR 1
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2025 at 17:29
| Quite possibly tigerburnie, the whole thing is a real mess and needs sorting, I doubt it will happen though. |
Posted By: backrowb
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2025 at 18:39
Tynedale to Chester is another 20 miles on
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Posted By: cheshire exile
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2025 at 21:08
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So what’s the view on Chester and Macclesfield being in Nat2W?
The issue seems to be that, outside the M25, the number of clubs in the east of England at level 4 is very limited until you get to Yorkshire. IIRC correctly Redruth had to travel to North Walsham and Bury St Edmunds until the west-to-east issue was sorted (to a degree). |
Posted By: Mountain Man
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2025 at 21:55
| If you want to play a decent level of rugby, you need to be prepared to travel. |
Posted By: Thatbloke
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2025 at 22:28
| You can appeal and argue the toss till you're blue in the face but you most definitely cannot refuse to go where the RFU sends you UNLESS you withdraw from the league and start again at the bottom of the pyramid |
Posted By: Camquin
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2025 at 22:41
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There is a gap from Birmingham to Chester, apart from Luctonians, which makes the level transfer much worse. The alternative is to have no level transfers, and if there are too many Northern teams relegated from National 1, to relegate one more team from Nat2N - and potentially fewer from Nat2E or Nat2W. Which is unfair in a different way, which is why the level transfer system, or as it is now described, the redrawing of boundaries, came about. But you simply cannot get round the fact that the country is a funny shape, and clubs are not distributed evenly. ------------- Sweeney Delenda Est |
Posted By: SK 88
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2025 at 23:09
| It looks to me like Leicester Lions or Esher are definitely going to South East whoever is relegated, so Syston will be going to Cornwall twice but not to Blaby! |
Posted By: Camquin
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2025 at 02:14
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Will we know until the fat lady sings? If Havant gets two good results and stay up, with Macclesfield and Harrogate down, Chester would go back North. And who knows how the remaining clubs fall. ------------- Sweeney Delenda Est |
Posted By: Mark W-J
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2025 at 08:11
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Havant are safe, aren't they? Two down from each of the three leagues (with the 13th placed team with the best record being retrieved due to the expansion of the Champ) Havant 45 Colchester 33 Worthing 33
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Posted By: Robb
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2025 at 08:23
Unless you're Worcester Warriors.....
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Posted By: WILD BOAR 1
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2025 at 09:12
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Havant and Macc are safe, Harrogate still have work to do. |
Posted By: tigerburnie
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2025 at 09:50
| If Lions do drop and go east they will be the first club(and possibly now the only one) to have a full set, they have played in north, south and west so far, they must be up there as the most travelled club. |
Posted By: tigerburnie
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2025 at 09:52
Potentially four Leicestershire clubs at Nat2 if the Lions were to be relegated.
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Posted By: Camquin
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2025 at 10:51
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I keep thinking it is three down with one saved. But of course it is only two down. So ignore my last post. ------------- Sweeney Delenda Est |
Posted By: JZSmith
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2025 at 10:59
Still plenty of time for the RFU to change that!
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Posted By: Sid James
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2025 at 12:18
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Macclesfield should have been in N2N last season, as Chester should have previously. This would solve their travel costs and give all of the N2N Clubs another home fixture = another pay day and, use up one of the many/unnecessary 'free weekends'. I said this to Beaumont at our recent meeting and he agreed that moving Cheshire Clubs west is nonsense. They should simply promote the next best L5 Club in the south/west areas. The trouble is, this would spoil the spreadsheet at HQ. ------------- All Knwoing All Seeing |
Posted By: Red over White
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2025 at 17:30
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From the NCA
Currently at level 4 relegation wise means that Worthing, Devonport Services and Hull are down. For thirteenth place the contenders are Colchester (33 points), Bournville (35) or Billingham (46), so it looks as though Billingham could survive the drop. In National 2 North SKiwifruithorpe, Rossendale and Darlington Mowden Park are the 'newbies', whilst Leeds Tykes and Hull will leave. Another club will also have to leave, contenders are Chester (again) and Lymm
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Posted By: Thatbloke
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2025 at 18:45
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Colchester & Bournville are already down. Whoever finishes 13th in the North will be spared. Currently Billingham but equally could be Hull, Harrogate or Preston Grasshoppers with whoever finishes bottom going down Simples!
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Posted By: Sid James
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2025 at 08:32
S-c-u-n-thorpe may go 'East'. (sorry about the spelling, only way around our mad censoring) ------------- All Knwoing All Seeing |
Posted By: backrowb
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2025 at 08:42
| I feel so sorry for clubs that are promoted and thrown into a league that is at the other end of the country |
Posted By: Thatbloke
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2025 at 09:38
| Can't see any way on earth Scunny would go East. There looks like definitely3, maybe 4 Leicestershire clubs who would head that way before Scunny |
Posted By: islander
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2025 at 09:44
Really? I'm not saying you're wrong, but looks a bit weird - in N2E they'd have several return journeys of 400+ miles, with Havant (476) as potentially the longest. And a 'local derby' against Bury St Eds (256 miles return) as their closest away game...
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Posted By: Thatbloke
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2025 at 09:57
| John Inverdale's response at the Stafford roadshow (and presumably others?) when questioned about the geographical nightmare that is Level 4 was "If you can't afford the travel don't get promoted" Patronising beyond belief! Try selling that message to DoR's, Coaches and players. |
Posted By: Pr10r
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2025 at 10:05
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My
very uneducated guess would be: ·
Scunny into North league ·
Chester or Lymm
level transfer to West to join Macclesfield ·
If Lions are
relegated = Syston goes East ·
If Esher
relegated = Syston stay West ------------- In Victory, you deserve Champagne. In defeat, you need it |
Posted By: WILD BOAR 1
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2025 at 10:29
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I think that's a pretty good guess Pr10r. My argument is that the travelling in N2W/M!!, is already excessive. If Henley & Oxford Harlequins were moved back W, they could be replaced with LL/Syston/Macc/Chester or Lymm (based on least mileage), thus giving a better balance of travel over the 3 leagues. |
Posted By: Halliford
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2025 at 13:48
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The problem is the mileage basis. Back in the day, I argued for the 3 Leagues to be M1, M5 and M62 based. My thought was to reduce the amount of cross-England travel. Didn't get anywhere! I do recall a season in Nat 1 when our Christmas "derby" match was Away to Plymouth. That took a bit of coping with on the weekend before Christmas! Just the 400 mile round trip on the last shopping Saturday!
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Posted By: workerbee
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2025 at 15:01
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Usually a club level transferred out of their normal Area would be exempt from going their again unless they volunteer. So Macclesfield and Chester should avoid being forcibly mover into Level 2 West and the next in line would be Lymm. Again any decision would mean that the effective line between North and South West leagues is somewhere along the M62 Not sure where Sheffield would fit into this as an option.
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Posted By: Thatbloke
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2025 at 15:32
| These rules were changed when the leagues were restructured almost 3 seasons ago now. The term "level transferred" no longer exists. The RFU basically chuck in all the postcodes at each level and you go where you're sent. |
Posted By: Stalwart*
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2025 at 16:18
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Slightly off topic, but kind of the same thing. Which are the closest, and furthest away "local" derbies? Cornish Pirates nearest opponent is Hartpury - 228 miles. ------------- Pirate |
Posted By: oneagainstthehead
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2025 at 16:23
London Scottish is 6.3 miles from Ealing Trailfinders, so probably the closest this season. Next season, of course, the shortest trip will be 0 miles due to Scottish and Richmond ground sharing. ------------- Speak softly, but carry a big stick. |
Posted By: Oldman1
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2025 at 17:29
| If I remember correctly North Walsham and Redruth were in the South league at the same time some years back. Some 400 miles! |
Posted By: GJ 3
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2025 at 17:30
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Would not Hinkley be closer than Syston to the East...? PS In terms of long journeys...the N2E has Guernsey to travel to!
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Posted By: Thatbloke
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2025 at 18:12
| Toss up between Hinckley & Leicester Lions (if they come down) as to which might have to go East or South as everyone else calls it but that will leave West short - watch out Chester, Lymm |
Posted By: tigerburnie
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2025 at 19:05
That didn't happen with Leicester Lions, who went south and were left there until west came along. Being in Nat 1 has given them their first "derby" games for about 5 years.
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Posted By: Thatbloke
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2025 at 19:34
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Workerbee/Tigerburnie Please read my previous post on Page 2 Briefly, you get put where the RFU send you - end of!
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Posted By: gerg_861
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2025 at 19:53
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Posted By: Trying to be neutral
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2025 at 21:16
| GJ 3 - It’s always interesting when people raise a point about having to travel to the islands (Guernsey and Jersey), but seem to forget that those captive on the islands have those logistical challenges to overcome for their every away game. I wonder how whole season accumulated travel time compares? |
Posted By: cheshire exile
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2025 at 23:24
| As a one time Guernsey resident, I take your point; is a flight with all the attendant faffing about, followed by onward trip (which might be an hour or so) more onerous than mid Cornwall to Leicestershire (or vice versa) by coach? |
Posted By: BigChief
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2025 at 08:20
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Should Jersey get promoted next season, they will potentially be in the same league (N2E) as Guernsey... Meaning 2 x Island tours for other N2 E teams and their support  Also meaning 2 x 'Island trips' for the RFU to partly fund, in the same league (?)  (Unless the RFU send one of the 'Islands' West of course..) ------------- For the ordinary purposes of conversation, a superficial knowledge of many things goes further than an intimacy with one or two. |
Posted By: GJ 3
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2025 at 10:12
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I am told on good authority that if Jersey were to be promoted, they would be allocated to N2W with Bristol Airport deemed their mainland base, (Gatwick for Guernsey). That would seem only fair given the fact that there is little or no funding now for the trips to the Channel Isles. Gatwick to Guernsey is fine if your London based or south of the M25, but trust me, even the RFU have finally agreed, that travelling from the likes of Suffolk requires at least one overnight stay.
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Posted By: GJ 3
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2025 at 10:17
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I do appreciate that for those based in the Isles, they have to make these sort of trips every other weekend....but then clubs like Redruth could argue they have long away trips most weekends too. As Camquin states, it is impossible to make things even for clubs like Cambourne, Canterbury, Aspatria, Blaydon etc....
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Posted By: Camquin
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2025 at 13:12
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When Cambridge first got promoted to National 2, the RFU paid for all the travel for National leagues. And that has reduced every season. ------------- Sweeney Delenda Est |
Posted By: Rabbie Burns
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2025 at 14:55
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I remember when we got promoted to Nat 1 back in 2003 maybe 4 there was lots of rubbing of hands as we got £100k from the RFU which helped tremendously as very few were getting paid other than legitimate expenses back then. How times change ------------- So many Christians not enough Lions |
Posted By: islander
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2025 at 15:43
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Oh dear, people do jump ahead of themselves and in some cases aren't au fait with the reality of how things work... Firstly, the season's only just finished and it seems a bit premature to be crowning the 25/26 Champions. Secondly, there's already funding for teams visiting Jersey in Regional Lgs 1&2, with the cost for 20 return flights met by £2,000 from the RFU and the balance from JRFC. I appreciate that squad sizes are larger in the NL and teams have two more league fixtures, but the idea that funding will suddenly explode onto the scene as an issue is wrong - this issue has been managed without major problems for many years. Finally, a very significant proportion of flights to Jersey is made up from 3 airports (Gatwick, Heathrow and Southampton) - those suggesting alternative airports might want to check what sort of service is provided, especially in winter months - it ain't much.
This isn't a fact, it is untrue...
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Posted By: cheshire exile
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2025 at 17:23
CAMBORNE!!!! And you perhaps haven’t checked the Northern tables for a while if you are quoting Aspatria and Blaydon….
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Posted By: SK 88
Date Posted: 13 Apr 2025 at 11:49
I believe the closest in the National Leagues is the Sheffield derby which just pips London Welsh v Barnes. Next season the closest will be London Scottish v Richmond at 0 miles (obviously). The Manchester derby between Sale & Sedgley and the north Bristol derby between Clifton & Dings Crusaders will be fairly close (as well as Cambourne v Redruth as the closest "not the same city" derby) but I think Sheffield still wins it. Furthest "closest game" for next season is I think either Plymouth Albion v Dings Crusaders or possibly Moseley vs one of the Bristol clubs.
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Posted By: cheshire exile
Date Posted: 13 Apr 2025 at 13:28
CAMBORNE!!!
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Posted By: Se7en
Date Posted: 13 Apr 2025 at 13:35
Cambourne...is it written/pronounced with three exclamation marks? A good club, and an even better part of the British Isles. I personally hope that they prevail as it would be good to have a Cornish club in National 1. And before anyone says 'but what about the long coach journeys and costs etc etc', just remember that National League 1 is exactly that, a nation-wide league and the players, staff, supporters all know that. With DMP's demise and relegation this season, it will shave off many miles travelling north for all clubs, with Leeds Tykes now the most northerly away day.
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Posted By: No 7
Date Posted: 13 Apr 2025 at 14:31
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Ealings first ever National League game was against Camborne away at the very start of National Leagues. I believe it was titled National 4 South. I seem to recall it meaning that Ealing were in the top fifty something teams in the country at the time. 1987 ! ------------- Ambition should be made of sterner stuff. |
Posted By: Mark W-J
Date Posted: 13 Apr 2025 at 16:47
| Ealing began life in London One (Level 5) in 1987-88 but were promoted as champions to what was then called Area League South. They were relegated after one season alongside Sidcup & Stroud, while Camborne finished third behind Lydney & Havant. |
Posted By: cheshire exile
Date Posted: 13 Apr 2025 at 17:12
Are you being deliberately obtuse ? Cambourne is in Cambridgeshire, Camborne is in Cornwall ,
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Posted By: Se7en
Date Posted: 13 Apr 2025 at 17:24
Guilty and I admit it, I was fooling around. I found it amusing how many times Camborne of Kernow was being misspelt. In fairness it could have been the auto correct on most people's devices. CambORNE to Leeds to Tonbridge does have a nice obtuse triangular dimension to it if they can indeed beat Clifton to top spot in Nat 2 West.
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Posted By: workerbee
Date Posted: 14 Apr 2025 at 15:22
| Interesting trip for Caldy this weekend Travelling to Penzance on Good Friday 373 Miles by coach. Well planned by the RFU |
Posted By: cheshire exile
Date Posted: 14 Apr 2025 at 15:33
| Fair point. |
Posted By: Paul10
Date Posted: 14 Apr 2025 at 15:43
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I played in Germany. Bundesliga 1b Sud & West (I think) Munich were in the same league as Bonn and Cologne... Scarily fast minibus driving on the Autobahn!
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Posted By: No 7
Date Posted: 14 Apr 2025 at 22:42
Ealing returned twice to National league 4 South on two more occasions and managed to stay up for another season. During these three visits they were one of the only true amateur teams playing semi pro teams. Most memorable win being against a London Welsh team away. ------------- Ambition should be made of sterner stuff. |
Posted By: SK 88
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2025 at 11:17
Sorry I always make that mistake, and must have been to Cornwall close to 80 times!
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Posted By: SK 88
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2025 at 18:40
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Any chance they make the South East league: Sheffield, Sheffield Tigers, Hinckley, Loughborough Uni, Syston, Oundle, BSE, Old Albanians, Barnes, Westcombe park, SevenOaks, Canterbury, London Welsh, Dorking South West, Guernsey, Havant, Henley, Esher, Camborne, Redruth, Barnstable, Exe Uni, Taunton, Hornets, Old Reds, Cinderford, Luctionians, Then all the nother bar Sheffield be the norther 14? On a Map that does actually look relatively sensible ...
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Posted By: Nat1
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2025 at 18:48
| It will be interesting to see how they divide the Nat 2 leagues for next season. Canterbury to Sheffield and Esher to Camborne would be some seriously long trips though! |
Posted By: cheshire exile
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2025 at 07:15
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Camborne or. Redruth to Esher is easier than to Leicestershire, Macclesfield or Chester. And to a previous poster, it’s BarnstaPle.
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Posted By: SK 88
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2025 at 10:45
I'll get the spelling right one day 
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Posted By: SK 88
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2025 at 10:54
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Not sure if these will work, but two maps of possible options. I think the mileage is better overall with the Sheffield to London league (especially as you could potentially do it on the train?) but the "Cheshire to Cornwall" league option does mean there are lots of close trips in London that will probably bring down the total mileage so that Chester & Macclesfield just get the rough end. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GpiGarFWsAAgV_7?format=jpg&name=small" rel="nofollow - https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GpiGarFWsAAgV_7?format=jpg&name=small
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Posted By: Thatbloke
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2025 at 17:08
| Is it just me but when did you last see a rugby team on a train?? |
Posted By: Camquin
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2025 at 17:28
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Cambridge used to visit Tynedale by train. I have heard several players "missed" the last connection in Newcastle and were "forced" to stay over a Saturday night in Newcastle. ------------- Sweeney Delenda Est |
Posted By: No 7
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2025 at 17:31
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Went on an Easter Tour to Scotland on the milk train from Kings Cross and played three games , Murreyfield, Penicuik and Hawick Trades. Those were the days won three out of three in three days back on the train .
------------- Ambition should be made of sterner stuff. |
Posted By: Happy
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2025 at 18:38
| Blackheath do quite a bit on the train I think |
Posted By: Thatbloke
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2025 at 21:00
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Sounds like an absolute nightmare to me! How many rugby clubs have stations on the doorstep? Transfers to arrange both ends plus bulk luggage - kit, tackle bags etc etc Can't believe that actually happens??
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Posted By: Rabbie Burns
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2025 at 21:00
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Correct hoppy, virtually all away games are by train, I think this season the only coach trip was Moseley. We did use a coach for the cancelled DMP game that wasn’t played but we’re on the train 2 weeks later. If booked correctly it is normally cheaper than using coaches ------------- So many Christians not enough Lions |
Posted By: Halliford
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2025 at 22:35
| Esher used to lose trains for all trips but weekend timetables have been so disrupted by engineering works that it has become unreliable. |
Posted By: Camquin
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2025 at 09:24
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Losing trains get expensive. I believe that when the players go by train, rather than coach, the larger equipment still goes in a van.
------------- Sweeney Delenda Est |
Posted By: Rabbie Burns
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2025 at 15:13
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Correct Camquin, but it never went on the coach for us, not enough room in the luggage hold remember the medical team need a complete surgery with them. Plus it’s far easier to have the dressing room set up for the teams arrival makes life very easy ------------- So many Christians not enough Lions |