IT'S BEEN a long-haul journey for Kendal RUFC stalwart Paul Dodds to his 350th first-team appearance, which came against Bedford Athletic on Saturday, and one that is unlikely to be equalled at the club in the forseeable future.

Said Paul: "It's the cameraderie of a club like Kendal that keeps you going and I suppose just the sheer enjoyment of wanting to play the game."

Paul, who is 34, began playing rugby at Kirkbie Kendal School and came through Kendal's U15, U17 and Colts sides.

He made the transition from the Colts straight into the first team when he was an 18-year-old back in 1989/90.

Still going strong 16 seasons later, Paul picks out the Pilkington Cup match against Exeter as featuring among the high-spots of his career to date.

He says: "It was one of the first times Kendal had made an overnight stop and it all built up to a great atmsophere when the game went ahead.

"I remember it was a great battling performance to win down there against the odds."

He also played in the famous cup tie against London Scottish at Mint Bridge which ended in a heart-rending defeat.

"It was very disappointing to have gone so close to winning when Casey Mee was held up over the tryline in the last minute, but what an occasion."

Paul is known for his versa- tility and has started for the first team in all of the backs positions, but his personal preference is for centre.

"There always a bit more happening there," he said.

Club records show that he has contributed a total of 704 points for the first team, including 76 tries, 75 penalties and 55 conversions - with strangely just one drop-goal.

His most prolific season came in 1994/5 when his goal-kicking ability contributed towards a total of 167 points.

He enjoyed Kendal's headiest success in the post-war era when they gained elevation to the National League Division 2, and quips that he did not play such a prominent part in the squad when they came down a division.

He said: "Rugby has changed a lot since I started playing under full amateur status. It's tougher now than when we went up to National 2 because of the sheer professionalism of sides.

"Clubs want to be bigger, stronger, faster and these days you have to play a rounded game rather than be a specialist."

Paul, who works as a management accountant at Goodacres in Kendal, is married to Karen ad they have three children Zara, Joseph and Ben.

"I'll continue playing so long as I remain injury-free and until I am not considered part of Kendal's plans," says a fine servant of the club.