PLANE flights to matches are being examined as a possibility by Kendal Rugby Union Club for a 2002/3 fixture-list that will them to the far end of the country, writes Richard Daniels.

National League status means that the club already travels many miles to fulfil fixtures to the London area, but with newly-promoted Penzance & Newlyn added to the list, thoughts have turned to air travel.

"Chartering a plane to fly the squad from Blackpool to Newquay would become a realistic option," said Kendal's Director of Rugby Chris Hayton.

"It's a two-night trip away usually which is a fairly costly operation both in terms of cash and time," he added.

Kendal are considering the options after resigning themselves to losing some attractive northern fixtures when the dust settles on the promotion and relegation issues.

Gone are Orrell, who go up as National One champions after their 10-try hammering of Nottingham last Saturday.

They scored more than the required 49 points to dislodge long-time leaders Plymouth from top spot on points scored difference.

And Plymouth's elevation may not remove a visit to that part of the world as right next-door ambitious Launceston are involved in a play-off with Dudley Kingwinsford, a little bit nearer in the Midlands, for the other promotion place.

At the other end of the National Two table, Preston's demise removes a lucrative derby date while the journey across to Merseyside to play Waterloo was also within handy reach.

When you consider that Henley and Bracknell are likely to be coming down from National League One after this week's final league matches, the message is clear that Kendal will be spending more hours on the road come September.

Kendal will play two matches as a memorial to their late senior coach Peter Kremer.

A Kendal XV will meet the County President's XV at Carlisle on Sunday, May 19, then the following Sunday, May 26, the Kendal club host their own memorial match against a Guest XV, for which England A coach Ged Glyn, a friend of Kremer's, is hoping to bring one or two international players.

n Kendal Seconds have a rearranged Merit League match at Preston Grass-hoppers on Saturday.