Curtain up on momentous season

Last updated 11:05, Friday, 15 August 2008

TYNEDALE Rugby Club’s preparations for the biggest season in the club’s history get under way tomorrow.

Try before you buy is the offer from the club as they take on current Scottish Hydro Electric Premier Division One champions Boroughmuir.

For admission is free to the warm-up game being staged in preparation for their exciting new season in National League Two.

Having romped to the championship in National League Three North last season, Tynedale are in completely new territory as they embark on life in National Two.

It sees the end of regional rugby, and involves three trips to the wilds of Cornwall to take on Mounts Bay in Penzance, Launceston and Redruth.

They also take on legendary teams like Blackheath and Waterloo – as well as their traditional rivals Blaydon – not to mention Birmingham Solihull who, just a couple of seasons ago, were knocking on the door of the Premiership.

Playing the games is one thing, but getting there is something else!

Last season the longest away fixture was to Leicester Lions - a mere 194.4 miles away, a round trip of 388.8 miles

This year the numbers look quite different.

During the course of this league campaign players and fans could clock up a total of 7,114 miles on the road, and spend almost 67 hours driving to and from fixtures.

There are three mammoth journeys to Cornwall with the jaunt to and from Mounts Bay near Penzance coming in at 994 miles and a bone-wearying 18 and a quarter hours on the road.

Redruth and Launceston are not too far behind.

The trip to near neighbours Blaydon on September 13 is the only relief at a mere 18 miles.

Wharfedale at 106 miles and Waterloo are the only other fixtures that are less than 200 miles from Tynedale Park.

It should also be borne in mind that virtually all the other clubs in the league are full time professionals, while Tynedale remain strictly amateurs, players and coaches alike.

After tomorrow’s game, Tynedale entertain Borders club Melrose on Saturday August 23, and once again entrance is free!

Both game kick off at 3 pm

The league season gets under way for real with a home game against Mounts Bay from Penzance on Saturday September 6.

Entrance prices for league games will be £8 for adults with concessions at £5.

Season tickets are also available at £80 for the season and £50 for concessions which covers the 13 home league matches.

These can be obtained by sending a cheque made payable to "Tynedale RFC Ltd." to John Drew at Sallynoggin, 45 Apperley Road, Stocksfield, NE43 7PQ.

The full fixture list is follows AUGUST:

16 Boroughmuir (F-H)

23 Melrose (F-H)

30 Fylde (F-A)

SEPTEMBER

6 Mounts Bay (L-H)