PLYMOUTH Albion must look forward to the challenge of tough, long away trips, according to prop Christian Judge.
Albion begin their away programme today with a 700-mile journey to Hull Ionians.
Graham Dawe’s side have the most travelling to do of any team in National One, with Gloucestershire side Cinderford their closest opponents, which is still a 300-mile round trek.
“It is always good to have home advantage and the home crowd,” said Judge. “Our first two league games the crowd have been huge and it’s been great to have their support.
“Going away to Hull is a long journey and it’s never going to be the same, but it’s a challenge you have to stand up to and look forward to.”
Albion head to East Yorkshire following back-to-back home games. They opened their season with a 33-20 win over Richmond before narrowly losing 16-15 to last year’s runners-up Rosslyn Park.
For a totally new team, Judge says there have been plenty of positives from the opening couple of weeks.
“There’s a lot of new guys come into the team, myself included, but it’s been quite positive to go out and have two quite good games,” said Judge. “Although we lost last Saturday there were still plenty of positives to take.
“It has definitely been a learning process. We’ve looked at both games afterwards and there have been things to improve on but overall we’ve been quite happy.
“It’s just important to make sure every game we improve on another thing.
“But overall the first two weeks it has been a positive experience.
“We just have to keep taking the momentum forward.
“We want to win as many games as possible.”
Judge is no stranger to Yorkshire. He lived in Driffield, not far from Hull, when he was younger and he also went to university in the county.
“It’s a bit of a slog to get there,” he said. “I used to go to uni in York so I’m used to the drive, but it is a long old bus journey.
Judge joined Albion this summer from Launceston.
“It’s been really, really good,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed it. It’s been hard work, especially in pre-season with the fitness and everything, but it’s been good.
“It’s also been enjoyable getting to know all the other guys. There’s been a good atmosphere.”
Judge started Albion’s opening game against Richmond and played the second half against Rosslyn Park. He returns to Albion’s starting line-up today.
When asked if he has been happy with his performances, Judge said: “I am a bit of a perfectionist and so I always want to make sure I am doing the best I can. I have been happy but there’s a few things to improve on.”