Bees To Ring Changes For Cup Tie

Bees are Ruthless

29th Septemeber 03 - taken from http://www.icbirmingham.com

Phil Maynard was delighted to see his Pertemps Bees show their ruthless streak as they maintained their position at the top of National League One.

The Bees' 42-12 win over Henley on Saturday was by no means their most fluent of the season.

But the home side took their chances well with Dave Knight (twice), Shaun Woof and Nick Baxter again on the score-sheet in an eventually comfortable victory.

"It wasn't a great performance," admitted director of rugby Maynard afterwards, although he added that the Bees never looked like losing the game.

"We were destructive when we had the ball and players like Dave and Shaun are strong and fast enough to trouble any defence in this division.

"Perhaps we didn't give them enough opportunity to shine last year, but we are trying to play a certain way this season and it's bearing fruit."

Knight was again the pick of the crop with two tries to take his tally to seven - the best in the division - and his brother Paul also scored in a strong personal display.

In fact the Bees' outstanding players were all backs, and - with yellow cards for Nathan Carter, Alex Davidson and Terry Sigley - he was less than happy with his forwards.

After 25 minutes the score was tight at 8-7 before the hosts ran away with the game, and only winger Nnamdi Obi looked as threatening for Henley as Baxter, Knight and co. did.

But overall, the Bees cannot complain about the opening month of their season.

"Despite everything we still scored 40 points here against Henley, and 25 tries so far," said Maynard.

"That has got to stop people criticising us for being onedimensional, as they have done in the past."

With a Powergen Cup tie at Coventry next week, it is a fortnight before the next league game, meaning the Bees will remain top until week six of the season at least.

BEES: D Knight, Takarangi, Woof, Davies, Baxter, Woodrow, P Knight; Thorp, Merritt, Sigley, Davidson, Orgee, Fakatou, Carter, Jenner. Replacements: Bainbridge-Kay, Chalmers, Gregory, Long, Hubbleday, White, Walton.

HENLEY: Mitchell, Obi, James, Osman, Davies, Reeves, Smaje; Johnstone, Hamilton-Smith, Hopcroft, Winterbottom, Bramley, Barnes, Atkinson, Martin. Replacements: Fuller, Gibbons, Payne, Street, Osman, Ward, NcNair.

Referee: C Sharp (RFU)

Bees Boss in Call to Fans

26 September - taken from http://www.icbirmingham.com

Phil Maynard is urging Pertemps Bees fans to get behind their side and roar them to glory this season.

The Bees are top of National League One after a flawless start to the season, but their two home games so far have been played out in front of three-figure audiences at Sharmans Cross Road.

"We're playing so well at the moment, and such attractive rugby, that it's a shame we haven't got more people turning up on a Saturday," said director of rugby Maynard before tomorrow's game against Henley Hawks.

"Hopefully, people will start to take notice if we continue to run up big wins like we did against Bristol and Penzance."

Maynard will be looking for more of the same against promoted Henley as giant Maori winger Aaron Takarangi makes his first start for the club.

Takarangi impressed as a replacement last weekend against Penzance & Newlyn and takes the place of Luke Nabaro, who has failed to recover from a hamstring injury.

Geoff Gregory - who has recovered from an ankle injury sustained in the opening match against Exeter - replaces Takarangi on the bench.

Otherwise Maynard is refusing to tinker with his side, meaning that summer signings Gregory, Matt Long and even Craig Chalmers continue to warm the bench.

Only four Bees players - the Knight brothers, Nick Baxter and skipper Ed Orgee - remain from the last time the clubs met in April 2002, a 22-9 victory which was the club's last win before Maynard took over and rebuilt the side.

PERTEMPS BEES: D Knight, Takarangi, Woof, Davies, Baxter, Woodrow, P Knight; Thorp, Merritt, Sigley, Davidson, Orgee, Fakatou, Carter, Jenner. Replacements: Chalmers, Bainbridge-Kay, Gregory, Walton, Long, Hubbleday, White.

Henley no Pushover for Bees

26 September - taken from http://www.icsolihull.com

PERTEMPS Bees director of rugby Phil Maynard has warned his players not to let their guard drop when Henley Hawks visit Sharmans Cross Road for the National One game tomorrow.

Bees maintained their impressive start to the season by crushing Penzance & Newlyn 50-17 last Saturday but Maynard believes that Henley, who were promoted from National Two with Penzance last season, are dangerous opposition.

"We had them watched against Manchester last week and they are a dangerous side," Maynard said. "They have won two of their three games since they returned to this division so their confidence will be high.

"They have strong-running backs, an efficient set piece and they are always a dangerous counter-attacking side. We know that there is no way that we can afford to relax against them."

Henley were watched by former Moseley director of rugby John White who is helping out the Bees with scouting and player development.

White is the father of Bees flanker Duncan and to add to the involvement, his wife Sue has just taken over the catering at Sharmans Cross Road.

"You can't ignore someone with Whitey's rugby knowledge," Maynard said. "But the whole family is steeped in rugby, and rugby in Birmingham in particular, and we are delighted to have them on board."

Bees have only one injury doubt for Henley's visit.

Winger Luke Nabaro (pictured) sustained a hamstring injury against Penzance and he will have a fitness test this week.

If Nabaro is unfit, former Ebbw Vale winger Aaron Takarangi, who came on as a replacement against Penzance, is likely to make his first league start.

No rest against soaring Hawks

26 September - taken from http://www.icsolihull.com

PERTEMPS Bees director of rugby Phil Maynard has warned his players not to let their guard drop when Henley Hawks visit Sharmans Cross Road tomorrow (Saturday September 27 KO 3pm).

His side maintained their impressive start to the season by crushing Penzance & Newlyn 50-17 last Saturday but Maynard believes that Henley, who were promoted from National Two with the Cornishmen last season, could pose a problem.

"We had them watched against Manchester last week and they are a dangerous side," Maynard said. "They have won two of their three games since they returned to this division so their confidence will be high.

"They have strong-running backs, an efficient set-piece and they are always a dangerous counter-attacking side. There is no way that we can afford to relax against them."

Henley were watched by former Moseley director of rugby John White who is helping out his former rivals with scouting and player development.

White is the father of Bees' flanker Duncan and to add to the involvement, his wife Sue has just taken over the catering at Sharmans Cross Road.

"You can't ignore someone with Whitey's rugby knowledge," Maynard said. "But the whole family is steeped in rugby, and and we are delighted to have them on board."

Maynard has just one injury doubt for Henley's visit. Winger Luke Nabaro sustained a hamstring injury against Penzance and he will have a fitness test this week. If Nabaro is unfit, former Ebbw Vale back Aaron Takarangi, who came on as a replacement against Penzance, is likely to make his first league start.

The burly winger made a massive impact in the hour he played creating tries and causing havoc with his intelligent angles and strong running. Henley might have their own power ball-carriers but they'd have to go some to match up to the massive Maori.

Bees hand new boys a lesson

26 September - taken from http://www.icsolihull.com

Pertemps Bees 50 Penzance & N'lyn 17

BEES made it three out of three last Saturday with a seven-try romp over National One new boys Penzance & Newlyn.

Phil Maynard's men were so dominant in the opening period they had effectively sealed maximum points by half-time with four first half tries and a 25-0 lead.

That dominance was less apparent after the turnaround as the gutsy Cornishmen crossed the home line three times to restore a modicum of respectability.

But that was only as many times as Bees full-back Dave Knight managed on his own in a sparkling display of searing breaks, willing support and resolute defence.

The hosts picked up where they had left off against Bristol with centre Shaun Woof opening the floodgates after just two minutes.

Shortly after prop Jim Thorp barrelled over from a catch and drive before Luke Nabaro slithered over in the 27th minute. Knight opened his account just shy of the break and stand-off Mark Woodrow added a conversion and penalty.

Woodrow dropped a spectacular 50-metre goal just after the restart before P&N finally got on the scoreboard with short range converted try from Ashley Morcum.

Woodrow had already added his second penalty and Knight his second try when Rob Thirlby pulled another one back for the visitors.

Woof and Knight sandwiched a Peter Bush score with the former British Lion stroking over two conversions to open his account for his new side.

Bullish Bees crying out for more support

Pertemps Bees 50, Penzance & Newlyn 17

BEES look down on the rest of National One from their lofty perch at the top of rugby's second flight.

Undefeated after three matches Phil Maynard's men are the league's top scorers with 18 tries and boast the meanest defence. Even the sternest of rugby critics have been forced to sit up and pay attention.

Which is more than can be said for the people of Solihull who seem ignorant of the fact that they have the 13th best rugby club in the country.

Bees may have been breaking records on the pitch but they're barely registering at the box office.

Saturday's attendance of 635 shames the sporting public of Solihull especially when you consider that even that derisory figure was inflated by a large Cornish contigent.

"Considering what we are trying to achieve here and the type of rugby we are playing it is not good enough," said Bees' director of rugby, Phil Maynard.

"We are top of the National divisions but locals are just not turning up to support us. The people of Solihull and Birmingham should be proud of us.

"We are a friendly club a n d Saturdays are a great day out. Once people come down the first time they stay but we need to attract more," he said.

Bees' Call to wide boys

24 September 03 - taken from http://www.icbirmingham.com

Pertemps Bees new-found attacking flair will be called on again in their home clash with Henley on Saturday.

The Bees fluent running, seen so rarely last season, was evident in Saturdays 50-17 win over Penzance & Newlyn.

With a naturally attacking Henley side next up, director of rugby Phil Maynard was particularly pleased with that aspect of the seven-try performance.

Dave Knight led the way with a hat-trick but the whole back division added a creative edge to their trademark solidity up front.

Putting 50 points past a side with 18 full-time professionals is a monumental achievement, said Maynard.

But the best thing was that I asked for, and got, our boys to take on Penzance in the wider channels. With Henley coming up, I think were proving ourselves more than a handful out wide.

A bonus point win at Sharmans Cross Road - and there could be plenty of points if both sides come out to play - will keep the Bees at the top of National League One.

Weve got to keep our feet on the ground but we havent played any of the sides tipped to struggle this season yet.

I wonder how many people would have predicted bonus point wins over Exeter, Bristol and Penzance, said Maynard.

Full-back Knight claimed the headlines with three tries last weekend, although he was quick to pass much of the credit onto the rest of the side and was looking forward to the next challenge.

Henley traditionally are a side that you like to watch, so it should be a good game, especially as theyve just come up from National Two and started the season well, said Knight.

Maynars Warns Players To Be On Guard

22nd September 2003 - taken from http://www.beesrugby.com

Pertemps Bees director of rugby Phil Maynard has warned his players not to let their guard drop when Henley Hawks visit Sharmans Cross Road for the National One game on Saturday September 27.

Pertemps Bees maintained their impressive start to the season by crushing Penzance & Newlyn 50-17 last Saturday but Maynard believes that Henley, who were promoted from National Two with Penzance last season, are dangerous opposition.

"We had them watched against Manchester last week and they are a dangerous side," Maynard said. "They have won two of their three games since they returned to this division so their confidence will be high."

"They have strong-running backs, an efficient set piece and they are always a dangerous counter-attacking side. We know that there is no way that we can afford to relax against them."

Henley were watched by former Moseley director of rugby John White who is helping out the Pertemps Bees with scouting and player development.

White is the father of Pertemps Bees flanker Duncan and to add to the involvement, his wife Sue has just taken over the catering at Sharmans Cross Road.

"You can't ignore someone with Whitey's rugby knowledge," Maynard said. "But the whole family is steeped in rugby, and rugby in Birmingham in particular, and we are dleighted to have them on board."

Pertemps Bees have only one injury doubt for Henley's visit. Winger Luke Nabaro sustained a hamstring injury against Penzance and he will have a fitness test this week. If Nabaro is unfit, former Ebbw Vale winger Aaron Takarangi, who came on as a replacement against Penzance, is likely to make his first league start.

Knight to Remember

21 September 2003 - taken from http://www.icbirmingham.com

A sparkling hat-trick by Bees flying full-back completed a Knight-mare trip for outclassed visitors Penzance & Newlyn.

Dave Knights triple was the pick of a scintillating seven-try display which keeps Phil Maynards men top of National One with maximum points.

Although Bees took their foot off the gas in the second half their strong running and razor-sharp cutting edge ensured the match was over by half time.

Only two minutes had gone when the hosts opened the scoring and the try was a picture of simplicity. Luke Nabaro fielded a loose kick from James Shanahan and made a dent in the Penzance defence through which scrum-half Paul Knight burst. The No 9 drew the remaining cover and gave supporting centre Shaun Wuff a simple dot down in the right corner.

The ex-Leeds man was also involved in the second try after nine minutes.

His break into the visitors territory produced an attacking line-out that was claimed by Alex Davidson. Bees organised the shove and drove Terry Sigley over the line.

Although the Sharmans Cross outfit continued to pour forward, scything through the T&M rearguard at will, they were made to wait until the 27th minute for their third try.

They will not score an easier one this season. Skipper Ed Orgee snared the line-out ball and possession slipped seamlessly along the Birmingham backline for Fijian-born Nabaro to carry his man over the line.

That was his last contribution to the game but it did not seem to upset the home sides rhythm. On the stroke of half time Dave Knight got his first and guaranteed a bonus point for scoring Bees fourth.

From an attacking scrum, play was moved left and Aaron Takarangi came off his wing to create the opening. He was stopped just shy of the line but managed to release fly-half Mark Woodrow whose superbly-timed pass made Knights task a simple one.

Woodrow managed his first conversion and an injury-time penalty made it 25-0 at the break.

The Cornishmen shuffled their pack during the interval and were a much tougher proposition as a result despite falling further behind to Woodrows momentus 40-yard drop goal just after the restart.

Replacement front-row forward Ashley Morcum made an immediate impact, taking a driving maul over the Bees goal-line just ten seconds after coming on.

Woodrow bettered Mark Scriveners conversion with a 49th-minute penalty before Takarangi and Knight linked up again for the full-backs second, capitalising on Wuffs kick ahead.

Fifteen minutes into the second period visiting full-back Rob Thirlby caught Bees nap-ping with a soft try from a tap penalty but Wuff scored his second ten minutes after that following a similarly speedy restart.

Former British Lion Craig Chalmers marked his first appearance with the conversion and another at the death after Knight had ran in from 50 yards.

These kicks sandwiched a consolation touchdown for Peter Bush five minutes from the end.

Craig's Kept out in cold

19 September 03 - taken from http://www.icbirmingham.com

Phil Maynard has kept faith with the side who shocked Bristol last week as he prepares his Pertemps Bees side for the visit of Penzance & Newlyn tomorrow.

The unchanged line-up means Craig Chalmers will have to wait for his Bees debut as Mark Woodrow keeps the fly-half shirt.

Asked about the selection, playing director Phil Maynard said: "Mark's keeping a British Lion out of the side - that tells you everything you need to know about how well he's played over the last two games."

Chalmers will start on the bench, despite being a more reliable kicker than his supposed understudy Woodrow.

Winger Luke Nabaro also keeps his place after a great try in the 45-11 win over former club Bristol last Sunday, despite the presence of Aaron Takarangi in the squad for the first time and Geoff Gregory's return to fitness.

With a physical pack the Pirates offer a different test for Maynard's side, more similar to their opening day opponents Exeter than Bristol.

But he is confident that the Sharmans Cross Road faithful will be able to see a third successive win of the season tomorrow.

"We've been working hard all week for this game," said Maynard.

"After the way we played down at Bristol, we don't want to let ourselves down in front of our own fans.

"Penzance are a different side to Bristol so obviously we have a different approach to the game. They have a big streetwise pack and a mobile back row and already know how to win games at this level."

With that in mind, the back five of the scrum -experience in the back row with Jim Jenner, Nathan Carter and Hese Fakatou and the mobility of locks Ed Orgee and Alex Davidson - will be a key battleground.

PERTEMPS BEES (probable): D Knight, Nabaro, Davies, Woof, Baxter, Woodrow, P Knight; Thorp, Merritt, Sigley, Orgee, Davidson, Fakatou, Carter, Jenner. Replacements: Chalmers, Bainbridge-Kay, Takarangi, Walton, White, Hubbleday, Long.

Chalmers set for first start

taken from http://www.icsolihull.com

Former Scotland and British Lions fly-half Craig Chalmers could be fit to make his first competitive appearance for National One pacesetters Pertemps Bees - if selected.

Bees take on league newcomers Penzance & Newlyn at Sharmans Cross Road tomorrow (3pm).

Chalmers, a summer recruit from Worcester, missed the victories over Exeter and Bristol because of a knee injury but is expected to be fit to face the Pirates.

And his return to fitness would present director of rugby Phil Maynard with the right sort of selection headache.

"We expect Craig to be fit to face Penzance but whether we select him is a different matter," said Maynard.

Maynard says Mark Woodrow has played very well in Chalmers' absence, apart from missing a few kicks at Bristol, and Chalmers is no certainty to make the starting line-up.

Having easily disposed of Bristol, a Premiership side last season, Pertemps Bees are buzzing at the moment but Maynard believes that Penzance, who edged out Henley with an injury time winning try from Rob Thirlby last Saturday, will pose a tough physical challenge.

"They have a very big pack and they are a very streetwise side," Maynard said. "We will have to adapt our game plan accordingly but we keep emphasising to the players that there are no easy games in this division.

"Having said that, I was delighted with the intensity of our performance at Bristol. To beat a side that was playing in the Premiership last season by 45 points away from home was a stunning effort and it ranks as one of the best performances since I joined the club.

"It's only equalled by beating Orrell away last season, but it was an outstanding team effort in which every player, including the seven who came on as replacements, made an impact."

Bees Bash Bristol

taken from http://www.icsolihull.com

Bees made it two wins out of two as they put hapless Bristol to the sword at the Memorial Ground on Sunday with a seven-try blitz.

The former Premiership side were on the backfoot almost immediately when Dave Knight ran 35 metres after a poor kick off from Bristol's Mike Hook had sailed straight into touch.

On nine minutes the visitors added a second try when Mark Woodrow passed to Sean Woof who took advantage of poor defending, Woodrow converting.

Hook replied with a 16th-minute penalty before Bees had Mike Davies binned for a high tackle.

Deep into stoppage time Luke Nabaro joined Davies picking up a yellow card on debut and with only 13 men the visitors could not stop Sean Marsden going in on the overlap.

But on an even keel Bees were far superior and Hese Fakatou and Alan Hubbleday added scores within six minutes of each other.

Tries then came at regular intervals for Fakatou, Matt Long and Nabaro deep into injury time against his former club.

Chalmers in Line To Face Pirates

Taken from http://www.beesrugby.com

Former Scotland and British Lions fly-half Craig Chalmers is in line to make his first conmpetitive appearance for National One pacesetters Pertemps Bees against league newcomers Penzance & Newlyn at Sharmans Cross Road on Saturday September 20 (3pm).

Chalmers, a summer recruit from Worcester, missed the victories over Exeter and Bristol because of a knee injury but he is expected to be fit to face the Pirates which will present director of rugby Phil Maynard with a selection headache.

"We expect Craig to be fit to face Penzance but wjther we select him is a different matter," Maynard said. "Mark Woodrow has played very well in Craig's absence, notwithstanding the fact that he missed a few kicks at Bristol, and so it's certainly not a straightforward selection issue."

Having easily disposed of Bristol, a Premiership side last season, Pertemps Bees are buzzing at the moment but Maynard believes that Penzance, who edged out Henley with an injury time winning try from Rob Thirlby last Saturday, will pose a tough physical challenge.

"They have a very big pack and they are a very streetwise side," Maynard said. "We will have to adapt our game plan accordingly but we keep emphasising to the players that, no matter what we have done the week before, there are no easy games in this division so we cannot afford to relax."

"Having said that, I was delighted with the intensity of our performance at Bristol. To beat a side that was playing in the Premiership last season by 45 points away from home was a stunning effort and it ranks as one of the best performances since I joined the club."

"It's only equalled by beating Orrell away last season, but it was an outstanding team effort in which every player, including the seven who came on as replacements, made an impact."

Bees Deserve Better

16 September 2003 - taken from http://www.icbirmingham.com

There they stand, top of the First Division: most points scored and fewest conceded. Only two games gone, of course, and how long their heady eminence endures remains to be tested.

But for now, Pertemps Bees are the side all the others are shooting at. Five thousand people saw them win at Bristol on Sunday and it wasnt just any old win.

Seven outstanding tries went on the scoreboard and the seventh, finished with a flourish by Luke Nabarro against his old club, was described by Phil Maynard, the director of rugby, as one of the best he had seen.

As the attendance at the Memorial Ground was 4,000 more than saw the Bees at Sharmans Cross Road the week before, Maynard is entitled to this observation: We are playing the type of rugby that begs a rather better audience.

But thats another matter. Its the quality of the Bees rugby that is the greatest concern and if it blossoms on, then Penzance and Henley are beatable in the two matches to come.

Weve earned our position and were going to enjoy it while it lasts, said Maynard. Two factors were clear to those in the know at Bristol. That the Bees had done their homework on their opponents and that no reciprocal attention had been paid to them.

That definitely showed, said Maynard. Its so vital to get a portrait of the oppositions better players and of their patterns of play.

And who painted the portrait that so influenced the Bees victory? John White. The old guru has been a background figure since he split with Moseley two summers ago but now his son, Duncan, has joined the Bees and his wife, Sue, is to take over the catering at Sharmans Cross for a while. How could Whitey not become involved?

You cant waste the amount of knowledge that he has accumulated over the years, said a grateful Maynard.

Hes a huge cog in our wheel. In his life after Bournbrook, White has involved himself with the Old Silhillians and Solihull School for he has a passionate belief in the importance of passing down the best and most trusted playing standards. He reels off the names of a number of former players whose knowledge is left unimparted because of the lack of a recognisable system.

If theres a way of helping a club who want to be helped, then Im pleased to do so, he said.

He has certainly found a way of helping the Bees. Im just about to commit to paper my thoughts about Penzance, he said. Which should come in very useful this week.

Bees victory, while a cause for much rejoicing, was not entirely unexpected for they win a decent share of games over a season.

Coach Delighted with Buzzing Bees

16 September 2003 - taken from http://www.icbirmingham.com

Pertemps Bees boss Phil Maynard has hailed Saturdays win at Bristol as one of the best since he took over at the club.

The 45-11 win at the Memorial Ground sent sent shockwaves through the division as the Bees ran in seven tries against one of National Ones big boys.

And ahead of the visit of Penzance & Newlyn, playing director Maynard said: I was delighted with the intensity of our performance at Bristol.

To beat a side that was playing in the Premiership last season by 45 points away from home was a stunning effort and it ranks as one of the best performances since I joined the club.

Its only equalled by beating Orrell away last season but it was an outstanding team effort in which every player, including the seven who came on as replacements, made an impact.

Such was the display that fit-again Craig Chalmers is not sure of his place against Penzance on Saturday.

The fly-half missed the Bees victories over Exeter and Bristol because of a knee injury but should be available to face the Pirates and give Maynard a selection headache at number ten.

We expect Craig to be fit to face Penzance but whether we select him is a different matter, he said.

Mark Woodrow has played very well in Craigs absence, not withstanding the fact that he missed a few kicks at Bristol, so its certainly not a straightforward selection issue.

The Bees are buzzing at the moment but Maynard believes newly-promoted Penzance will pose a bruising physical test.

They have a very big pack and they are a very streetwise side, he said.

We will have to adapt our game plan accordingly but we keep emphasising to the players that, no matter what we have done the week before, there are no easy games in this division so we cannot afford to relax.

Bees bid to create a hive of interest

13th September 2003 - taken from http://www.icbirmingham.com

Birmingham & Solihull are to launch a new £100,000 coaching scheme to help keep young adults in the game and build on the strong youth rugby scene in the West Midlands.

Local property company Earl-place Ltd has invested £50,000 in a coach training programme run by the club and Sportsmatch - the Government sponsorship incentive scheme for grassroots sport - is adding another £50,000 to the pot.

Players will be encouraged to prolong their involvement in rugby by becoming coaches, rather than drifting away from the sport or becoming passive supporters.

Mark Pearson, Birmingham & Solihull's development officer, said: "This is very much aimed at grassroots level, not the elite side of playing and coaching. Most of the schools now play and there is a great mini and junior rugby scene in the area, but there is a big gap for 18-plus players.

"We are delighted to be involved in a grassroots community rugby initiative in partnership with North Midlands and Warwickshire coach development projects."

The two-year programme will develop Birmingham & Solihull's players and coaches will also go out to schools and clubs in the area to deliver tailored programmes to meet individual needs.

The sponsorship was the idea of Lawrence Grove, managing director of Earlplace, who is a former Birmingham & Solihull player and the club's chairman last season.

"Rugby, like most sports, suffers from high drop-out levels by players in their late teens and early twenties. We hope to maintain the momentum that has built up in youngsters and develop the adult game still further," he said.

Bees obstruct Bristol's Road Back

12th September 2003 - Michael Blair - http://www.icbrimingham.com

This is, or could be, a great story waiting to break. Bristol lose their sugar daddy, lose their Premiership status and the large majority of their squad leave the sinking ship.

But they keep their soul and against all the odds, get back to the top of a sport they adorned for so long.

A matter of time, or what? Time will tell. But for now, the new Bristol management and the new Bristol team have announced themselves in emphatic fashion. To have spent a hellish summer like theirs and to start the new season with a resounding 30-point defeat of Penzance & Newlyn was some achievement.

Pertemps Bees, who play them at the Memorial Ground on Sunday, had them watched last week and the intelligence file has them down as young, quick and extremely well organised.

Being as young as they are, they have limited patterns and the Bees claim to have picked up on them. The conclusion is that not only will they be hard to beat this week but they will be a continuing factor in the First Division.

"They'll be well-fancied to stay in the hunt for the championship," said Phil Maynard, Bees' director of rugby.

"If we get a win at Bristol on Sunday, it will be a tremendous result but having said that, it's well within our scope."

The Bristol effort is founded on the strength and experience of their former Scottish international prop, Dave Hilton and on Chris Malone, who was an exceptionally effective fly-half before he moved from Exeter to Bath.

"They've got players from the Bristol academy and of the others, most have Premiership experience," Maynard notes.

One of the ex-Bristol players has found his way to Sharmans Cross Road.

Luke Nabarro came on as a replacement for the injured Geoff Gregory in the famous win against Exeter last week and if Gregory's damaged knee does not respond to treatment, Nabarro is likely to start against his old club.

Craig Chalmers is not expected to make himself available until next week and otherwise, Bees will be selecting from strength.

They, too, have made a cracking start to the season and last week's win, according to Maynard, was down to the intensity of the pre-season preparation.

"It's feet back on the ground time, though," he adds. Maynard is not a great supporter of Sunday rugby but he has found a positive advantage in this week's date. "We've got an extra day," he said. "And we can work that much harder in training."

Coventry Draw For Bees in Powergen Cup

9th September 2003 - taken from http://www.Beesrugby.com

Pertemps Bees have been given a tough draw at National One rivals Coventry in the third round of the Powergen Cup on October 4.

All National One clubs are given byes through the preliminary, first and second rounds of the competition and Pertemps Bees will begin their campaign with a trip to Coundon Road.

Phil Maynard, Pertemps Bees' director of rugby, said: "It's a tough draw and we would certainly have preferred to play anyone at home. The good thing is that we share the gate receipts which should mean a decent share-out from a big local derby."

"Last season we used our cup games to rotate our squad but, against a side like Coventry, we won't be able to afford to do that."