Rugby players touch down after 1,000-mile trek

After enduring battering rain, gusty winds, steep hills, and three tyre punctures, two rugby players completed their Land s End to John O Groats bike ride. Nick Alford and Jack Hilman from Royston Rugby Club were raising money to fund new changing rooms

After enduring battering rain, gusty winds, steep hills, and three tyre punctures, two

rugby players completed their Land's End to John O'Groats bike ride.

Nick Alford and Jack Hilman from Royston Rugby Club were raising money to fund new changing rooms for their ground at the heath.

They suffered an early setback when the third member of the party, Robert Turner,

had to pull out of the trip after injuring his ankle in a match the day before their

journey began. But he supported his teammates in a vehicle during the

course's later stages.

Their trek was not made any easier by the rain that met them in Land's End as they set

out, and it followed them for most of their journey, which covered nearly 1,000 miles.

Despite riding for large parts in wet clothes, the pair remained in high spirits,

and this was helped by the encouragement they received along the way.

Jack said: "We certainly drew some attention in the hostels we stayed at, and even

people in supermarkets asked what we were doing. I think people felt sorry for us and

we ended up getting further sponsorship from complete strangers."

After reaching John O'Groats the pair took a 13-hour train journey back to Royston, where they were given a heroes' welcome by family, friends, and club members.

Money is still being collected, and anyone who sponsored them can pay by cash or cheque made payable to Royston Rugby Club. Nick and Jack can be found at the Heath Sports Club on Saturday

afternoons where sponsorship can be handed over in person, or it can be

dropped off at 47 Garden Walk, or 22 Blake Close, Royston.