END of the line, though not the end of the world.
That must be the attitude of West Hartlepool this week.
West will not be visiting Twickenham this season after suffering a 34-13 quarter-final exit at Hartpury College on Saturday.
Defeat to the young and vibrant students, favourites to lift the ED
F Intermediate Cup, was certainly no disgrace and West let no-one down.
The great run in the tournament – they won at Durham City, Penrith Burton – will, in time, hopefully provide West with some consolation.
But, for all the pain West will be feeling this week, the coaches and squad – and supporters – must remember the season is not over.
West still have seven North Division One matches to negotiate before the end of the campaign.
They could hardly have picked a tougher place to start their league run-in than Sheffield Tigers.
The Tigers are not out of the promotion reckoning given they are only four points behind leaders Westoe and two adrift of Hull, who currently hold the play-off position.
To rub salt into West's cup wounds, they found out after their cup elimination that they dropped two places in the league table.
That Stockport overtook them after beating West Park St Helens will have come as no surprise.
But what will have shocked them was seeing Middlesbrough end championship favourites Westoe's 13-match winning run by beating the South Shields side 12-8 at Acklam Park.
West, as a result, slipped from sixth to eighth and should they take a caning at Dore Moor on Saturday, they could drop another place.
But West have beaten – deservedly too – Sheffield already this season and they will hope they can tame the Tigers in their own lair.
It will be difficult because West will currently be feeling like a bloke does when a gorgeous bewer gives them the elbow.
Kelly recalls some bad luck with his love life – those of you who have met my wife will say my mistfortune has never gone away (only messing, she's lovely really).
Tearful and broken after being dumped by an attractive Norwegian nurse, I called a mate from an Oslo phone box desperate for some kind words to lift me out of the gutter.
His response was brief, brutal and to the point.
"Snakes" Damo said succinctly. End of conversation.
Effectively he was saying "shut up blaring Kelly and get on with it"
While I wouldn't tell Tim Sawyer, Kevan Oliphant and Anth Carr and Co to "shut up blaring" (I may get mullied for my trouble) the sentiments are the same.
West can't be down too long – there are new challenges to conquer, starting this Saturday.
What a place to claim your first double of the season and your first away win!
