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Page last updated at 10:23 GMT, Thursday, 11 December 2008

Wadebridge prepare for big game

Wadebridge Camels RFC
Andy Cameron scored the winning try for Wadebridge in the last round

Wadebridge Camels are getting ready for the biggest match in the club's 53-year history when they go to Tynedale in the National Trophy on Saturday.

The Camels are third in the Western Counties West division, five divisions below their third-round opponents.

They will fly north on Friday and stay at a hotel, a far cry from their usual trips around the south west which last no more than two hours.

"We're trying to keep our feet on the ground," said coach John May.

"Our preparations have been pretty short and swift because we only knew a fortnight ago that we were in it," May told BBC Radio Cornwall.

"We're training twice this week, the same as normal. We'll up the pace in our minds if not our legs and hope for the best when we get there."

The Camels beat London Two South side Old Colfeians 10-5 in the first round.

And in the second round they inflicted the only competitive defeat of the season so far on London Division One leaders Shelford, who are one division off the National Leagues, winning 22-15.

But this will be the Camels' first trip away from home in the competition, and they could not have picked a venue further away than Tynedale.

The round-trip in a car is over 880 miles, so scrum-half Shaun Hawkey does not expect too many fans to be cheering them on.

"Its a long way to go, it's going to be a big shock for everyone as we're used to an hour or two travelling. To go up to Newcastle is going to be a big trip," he said.

"We have a good record at home and a lot of support at home, but because it's so far away I don't think there's going to be many going up.

"There are a few car-fulls but it is a long way to go and we're going to miss our home support.

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But despite the lack of backing for Wadebridge, Hawkey says it will still be an atmosphere they have never experienced before.

"There's going to be a big crowd, no doubt, and we're not really used to that," he said.

"They'll probably have a lot of support for them so it will be strange for us to have so many people watching."

So, can Wadebridge upset the odds and one of the longest away trips in English sport and actually get a win?

"Personally I do but I don't expect you'll find too many people around the country who'll give us any chance at all," added May.

"But that actually gives us a chance because they'll no doubt under-estimate us.

"If we went there 100 times we'd probably lose 99 of them, but we're only going there once so hopefully that'll be enough for us."

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see also
Bees face Redruth on Trophy trail
09 Dec 08 |  Rugby Union
Redruth 15-5 Tynedale
15 Nov 08 |  Rugby Union
Launceston 29-27 Tynedale
29 Sep 08 |  Rugby Union
Tynedale 14-7 Mounts Bay
08 Sep 08 |  Rugby Union


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