Tynedale RFC shift 18-tonne coach from snow to fulfil fixtures
Tynedale’s teams braved the cold, pushing their coach out of the snow in pursuit of playing their weekend fixtures.
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In what started as a normal day, the Tynedale RFC 1st and 2nd teams boarded the bus for away games against Hull Ionians. But not even halfway into the 147-mile journey, they found themselves stuck.
Having stopped as usual at Scotch Corner, near Richmond in North Yorkshire for breakfast, the coach got wedged in snow in the car park and was unable to move.
Facing delay, and the 1st team keen to seal their third consecutive win against Hull Ionians, the teams banded together and using their strength, pushed the 18-tonne vehicle free.
But it was not only the efforts of those on the coach that should be commended. Living in the north and used to colder, snowy conditions, others were not discouraged by the weather and made their own way.
It was all worth it as both Tynedale teams won their matches, 16-12 and 22-10 respectively.
“It was an all-round effort,” said vice president Philip Sharman. “Our ethos as a community club pulled through. We’re not a professional club but we’re playing in a semi-professional league, and how many teams would have made the attempt to come north I’m not sure.”
“It was the mindset, everyone wanted to be there for that game which we felt was winnable against a tough opponent.”
“Carl Fearns our assistant forwards coach brought his boots along and he played the last 20 minutes. Everybody made the effort and it really gels the team.”
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