COMMITTED commuter Ben Allman said the trip from the Isle Of Wight for Bournemouth training on Tuesday and Thursday nights is worth it.
The front rower has returned to the club he previously played for after a few years away to enjoy life off the field.
But after springing off the bench in the 16-7 South West Premier away win at nearest title rivals Barnstaple, Allman said the unfamiliar aches and pains will be worth it.
He said: “It felt absolutely fantastic to be back playing for Bournemouth again.
“Not much has changed in terms of personnel, but it was great to be back.
“I took a bit of a step back from rugby to start a family - after having a lovely little boy - plus I also got married and started my own business.
“But I just wanted to take a bit of a step back to reassess things and now I wanted to go again.”
Allman should be applauded for putting his young family first, but he said the North Devon mud bath was not the ideal conditions to make his return.
The front rower regularly gets the ferry across to the mainland for training on Tuesday and Thursday nights, and after the long bus journey to Devon, he reckons he will be sore afterwards.
He added: “It felt fantastic to pull on the Bournemouth shirt again - it was the kind of game where you have a job to do and that was why I was brought in.
“I was so glad to be back. It was a lot more muddier then I had prepared for and I’m sure I will suffer for it tomorrow.
“But I am feeling good and energetic and everyone is absolutely bouncing off of one another because it was a great result.
“I come across every Thursday and Saturday plus Tuesdays sometimes so I get an early morning ferry for the Saturday games and then have a late night back.
“It is a bit of a strenuous commute for me especially for my other family members and so I do appreciate they sacrifice quite a lot for me to play but you have got a short time limit in this sport so you might as well play it while you can.
“But it is strenuous and I do get back late and often leave early for days on end but it is one of those commitments that we make just so we can go out on top.
“I have a two-year-old little boy, and it is difficult on my family to play rugby with him at home.
“But luckily I have a pretty strong family-in-law behind me at home and they can look after him or my Mrs looks after him so I usually have a nice Sunday with him where I can take him swimming or something and have a bit of time back with him.”

Ben Allman isn't the only player travelling from the island to play for the Lions, Michael Barrett makes the journey with Ben Allman and Ben Roberts travels from Portsmouth.