BROMSGROVE Rugby Club must brace themselves for some long distance trips next season after their appeal against transfer from National Three Midlands to the South West division was turned down by the RFU.

Director of Rugby Dan Protherough admitted: "It wasn't what we wanted, but we have to accept the situation and get on with it.

"I think the level transfer idea was to resolve border disputes but the regulations are now out-dated and unfair.

"What it means is that Bromsgrove will be having to travel to places like Cambourne in Cornwall on a Saturday afternoon which is just plain daft.

"We appealed even though we realised we were unlikely to succeed,. The RFU just bury their heads in the sand when these situations occur.

" What we really need now is the support of South West Rugby and some understanding from the RFU because we might have to look at the time of kick-offs.

"If we could change some of the kick-off times from 2-15pm to 5pm, that would help.

"Some players do work on a Saturday morning and that needs to factored into the equation rather than having to set off at 8am for matches."

Apart from Cambourne, Bromsgrove can also expect to visit fellow Cornish side Launceston, Bournemouth, Newton Abbot and Ivybridge.

Their shortest journey will now be a trip to Lydney in the Forest of Dean rather than visiting local rivals like Birmingham and Solihull or Old Halesonians

Protherough added: "It won't necessarily effect the areas from where we recruit players. We do have a number of players from the Worcester area and it would make more sense for them to travel direct to games rather than the 15 miles to Bromsgrove and then go back again."

Bromsgrove have already arranged pre-season friendlies against Dudley Kingswinford and Broadstreet before opening their season on Saturday, September 3 with a visit from Lydney.