The Bees, formerly known as Birmingham and Solihull, face Newcastle at Kingston Park on Sunday with the winner claiming a lucrative trip to HQ for the showpiece final on April 17.

No team from outside the top division has ever progressed beyond the semi-final stage of the competition and the odds are stacked against Phil Maynard's National One part-timers bucking the trend.

But Orgee believes the fact his team are one match away from a dream trip to the home of English rugby will provide the motivation to claim another shock victory over Zurich Premiership opposition.

"I've played at Twickenham before - it was for England students against the Combined Services. It was a great feeling to run out on the pitch. Obviously the stadium was fairly empty but it was still a very memorable day," he said.

"Going back to Twickenham would be a carrot for all of us. I would love to go back there, especially in front of a big crowd. It would also be a massive deal for the players and would raise the club profile."

The Bees owe their place in the semis to a dramatic 28-24 victory over Wasps at the Causeway Stadium, undoubtedly the greatest upset in professional club rugby.

No-one gave them a chance against the reigning English champions, who were chasing silverware on three fronts.

But now they must defy the odds again to continue their march to Twickenham with back row forward Orgee demanding his side repeat their heroics.

"The moments after the Wasps game were total elation for us." he said. "But on reflection, after we'd looked at the video, we realised we'd played very well and deserved to win the game. We've taken a lot of confidence from that match.

"Before the game I thought we'd be competitive but it was not until the last 20 minutes that I actually felt we could win. When the whistle went we were all in total disbelief.

"Now we must repeat that performance. We have to be at our best to have any chance of beating them, while they have to have an off day."

Newcastle's has been an indifferent season - they have been plagued by inconsistency in the Premiership and the Powergen Cup represents their only chance of a trophy.

But they are still hard to beat at Kingston Park and boast plenty of firepower - not least in Tongan powerhouse Epi Taione who on his day can smash through the tightest of defences.

 

Jenner helped Newcastle lift the cup by scoring the third of their four tries against Harlequins at Twickenham. After two seasons with Worcester, Jenner retired from full-time rugby last summer to help his brother run a chain of nursery schools in the Midlands.

When he decided to join the bouncers, teachers, students and surveyors who make up the part-time squad at Solihull-based Bees he believed that his days in the media spotlight were over. But, since the Bees ousted Wasps 11 days ago in the biggest cup upset since rugby went professional, Jenner has been in constant demand for interviews.

"Quite a few players in the squad have played in the Premiership and are used to doing interviews, so they were a little more blase about our win initially. But we seem to have captured the public's imagination and I think it's only just started to sink in that we beat the Premiership champions," Jenner said.

"It was a very special moment and very different to winning the cup with Newcastle. I would still say the 2001 final remains the highlight of my career because it was in front of a full house at Twickenham, I scored an important try and it was such a big occasion for the club."

Jenner retains fond memories of his only season on Tyneside and he keeps in contact with former team-mates who will be opponents on Sunday. "I had a wonderful time at Newcastle, we had a close-knit squad and I keep in touch with Hugh Vyvyan and Andrew Mower," Jenner said. "It's a club I've still got a lot of affection for and I am very excited about playing there for the first time since I left."

The fact that Newcastle sent their scouts to watch the Bees lose to Orrell last Sunday suggests they do not intend to make the same mistake as Wasps by underestimating them. But Jenner believes Newcastle may still struggle to motivate themselves against lower-ranked opposition.

"They insist that they will not be taking us for granted but I am sure they are confident that they have got an easy ride to the final," Jenner said. "But we've already proved that we can cause Premiership sides trouble and, if Newcastle aren't focused, anything can happen."

 

Pertemps Bees can't rely on the shock factor again when they take on the Newcastle Falcons, warns director of rugby Phil Maynard.

Maynard does not expect Powergen Cup semi-final opponents Newcastle to be as complacent as Wasps were in the quarters.

But even if the Bees do bow out at Kingston Park, he has thor-oughly enjoyed the club's Cup ride.

"Newcastle will not take us lightly," said Maynard of the Premiership side.

"They are one game away from Twickenham and we know that they will do us no favours at all.

"It's a very tough game for us and, regardless of what happened at Wasps, we are likely to be up against it.

"We have a small squad and our players are starting to get battle-weary while Newcastle have just had a weekend off so they will be nicely refreshed.

"Realistically, it's likely to be the end of the line for us. But we enjoyed our day out at Wasps, we will enjoy this weekend and when we look back on the competition we will have some fabulous memories.

"If nothing else it has reminded people that rugby is played in Birmingham and that there is rugby life outside the Premiership."

Newcastle scouts at last weekend's 29-24 defeat to Orrell will have been confused as to which Bees side they will face.

"We managed to combine our worst and our best qualities in one performance, but I'm not sure that the spies will have discovered anything that they didn't already know about us," said Maynard.

Meanwhile the Bees are optimistic that hooker Rob Merritt and centre Mike Davies will be fit for Sunday.

Davies twisted an ankle at Wasps eight days ago and was forced to sit out last weekend's game, while Merritt suffered an elbow injury against Orrell.

"We don't think it's too serious and we're confident that Rob will be fit to face Newcastle," said Maynard.

"Mike Davies should also be fit to return, having had a week's rest, although we will give him a fitness check this week."

 

Strange is cup-tied for this Sunday's Powergen Cup semi-final at Newcastle after playing for struggling Rotherham in the sixth round of the competition --also against Newcastle.

But despite hoping Mark Woodrow has a great game this weekend, the on loan fly-half is aiming to keep him out of the side from then on.

And after spending five months at a club without a win, he can already feel the benefit of being at the confident Bees.

"Despite the result I enjoyed it against Orrell on Sunday," said Strange, who played over half an hour as a replacement. "It was just nice to get some game time under my belt.

"My appearances have been pretty limited at Rotherham in the last few months. I wasn't really given the opportunity to prove myself since before Christmas.

"I was out for four to five weeks with an ankle ligament injury, but since coming back to fitness I've been out of the side. That's why it's good to come here on loan - I'll be here until the end of the season, although Rotherham can call me back if they need to."

Wales A cap Strange joined promoted Rotherham from Newport this season, but the Titans have suffered a nightmare winless streak in the Premiership.

So despite dropping down a division, the 30-year-old is enjoying the atmosphere in the Sharmans Cross Road camp.

"You can notice the difference in mood straight away," said Strange.

"At Rotherham it was a dificult time, because when you lose five or six games on the trot it just becomes a habit and hits the morale and confidence.

"But there's a terrific spirit with the Bees.

"It's been a great season for the club and hopefully that can continue at Newcastle on Sunday."

Strange's goalkicking prowess - his three late conversions earned the Bees a bonus point against Orrell - could be crucial in his personal battle with Woodrow.

Woodrow's overall kicking record has been patchy, his man-of-the-match dis-play against Wasps aside.

 

 

The Birmingham National Division One side are to get £20,000 from the RFU following their surprise Powergen Cup quarter-final win over Wasps - and they will also get a share of the gate when they face the Falcons, who could yet have hooker Matt Thompson back in their side, at Kingston Park on Sunday(2.15).

The Bees beat Wasps 28-24 to reach the last four of the cup and they looked set to receive no money because of a Premier Rugby-RFU deal which only financially rewards Premiership sides in the cup.

But RFU officials have said the Midlands side would get a payment to compensate them for money they would have earned from appearing in the Powergen Challenge Shield. Terry Burwell, of the RFU, confirming the pay-out said: "On behalf of the RFU I'd like to congratulate Pertemps Bees on their achievement in reaching the semi-final."

The Bees will also receive 40pc of the gate money from their quarter-final against Wasps and 12.5pc of Sunday's semi-final gate. Additionally, they will also get a £4,500 grant for their travel expenses to Newcastle for the game.

It looks like Falcons hooker Matt Thompson has a chance of playing in the tie just days after it was thought he would need a cartilage operation.

Thompson damaged a knee in the quarter-final win over London Irish and has twice been to see a specialist, who advised a wait-and-see policy rather than an operation.

They are all that stands between the heart-warming reunion of an injured nation and its conquering hero but Pertemps Bees director of rugby Phil Maynard is not the sentimental type.

The English rugby fraternity, still pining for golden boy Jonny Wilkinson after Saturday's humbling by the Irish, received the news it wanted yesterday as reports emerged that the kicker of That Drop-Goal could return to the field before the end of the season.

Although he'll be too late to contribute to his country's Six Nations campaign he could still play at Twickenham in the final of the Powergen Cup scheduled for April 17.

The only problem is that Maynard's merry bunch stand in his way and although Wilkinson won't feature in Sunday's cup semi-final when his Newcastle Falcons take on Bees, talk on Tyneside is that he could make it back for the set-piece final if they get there.

Newcastle rugby director Rob Andrew said: "I've a feeling there is still a sting in the tail to come from Jonny this season. He is fully involved with everything we're doing in training, except for the contact stuff.

"I think he will make his mark. The Powergen Cup final on April 17 is within range but, first, we have to win the semi-final," the former England fly-half added.

But Maynard and his team relish their role of party-poopers and he said yesterday: "I would like to make sure we don't get another look at Jonny Wilkinson this season.

"But there is no chance that Newcastle will take us as lightly as Wasps did. The cat is well and truly out of the bag for us."

It seems as though said moggy was hibernating last weekend when Bees flopped to a disappointing defeat in their National One clash with Orrell.

Maynard agrees that that was not ideal preparation for the meeting with a side that has made it to the cup final in three of the last six years.

Indeed, he confessed, a similar performance on Sunday to that tendered two days ago would result in an extremely heavy defeat.

He said: "With a tiny part-time squad having had a momentous win last week it was always going to be difficult against supposedly one of the best sides in this division. We were cocky and we did not pay due attention to keeping the ball in the first half and we paid the price for it. We conceded two very soft tries around the fringes which you would never expect from us. It was just indicative of the whole day."

Not quite the whole day, Bees were dire in the first half but edged the second as Maynard sent on fresh legs to score three tries in the last 15 minutes.

He said: "The last quarter annoyed me even more because I didn't think Orrell were very good for the amount of money they have spent.

"The lads that came on brightened it up and if Terry Sigley had not gone in the bin we would probably have done it earlier. It just all came at the wrong time. I planned to get some lads on early to freshen it up. Maybe we should have started with them.

"Maybe, looking back with hindsight, in which we have all got degrees, I should not have picked Mark Woodrow and Paul Knight at half-back from the start. They looked tired from the outset."

But it is not all doom and gloom and Maynard was keen to emphasise the positive. "We took a point off a side that is a full-time, £1.5 million professional outfit and we are disappointed, having already beaten Wasps last week, that we did not do better.

"Let's keep it in perspective. We have achieved more than we set out to at the start of the season. We are likely to finish at least fourth and have achieved our season's targets already."

And wouldn't they grace Twickenham with their presence?

After all, Jonny Wilkinson has played there before. ..SUPL:

Pertemps Bees boss Phil Maynard has insisted he wouldn't swap Dave and Paul Knight for anybody ahead of tomorrow's visit of Orrell.

The clash is given extra spice by the presence of full-back Leigh Hinton and scrum-half Gavin Cattle, who both left the Bees last summer for full-time rugby with Orrell and a shot at reaching the Premiership.

However, the North-West side have not seriously challenged for the National One title this season and indeed are only one point ahead of the Bees.

And in the meantime the Knight brothers - who both signed new playing contracts this week - have flourished in Hinton and Cattle's former positions.

"A couple of players did leave last summer - and they've had a marvellous season, haven't they?" said Maynard pointedly about the pair.

"But it's worked out perfectly because it was always a dilemma who to play at full-back and scrum-half, and now Dave and Paul have really blossomed as players.

"They've played some of their best rugby this season."

Paul has committed himself to another two years at Sharmans Cross Road, while Dave has done likewise for one season after this.

Beyond any personal battles, Maynard and his players have high hopes of upsetting another full-time side this weekend and keeping alive their dream of finishing as runners-up to Worcester.

They came desperately close to winning at Edgehall Road in November before slipping to a 20-13 defeat.

The only change from Sunday's 28-24 dream win over Wasps is a forced one.

Mike Davies' ankle injury means the Bees will start with the centre pairing that ended the game so well last week, Shaun Woof at 12 with Luke Nabaro outside him.

Fly-half Jason Strange comes onto the bench days after his signing from Premiership strugglers Rotherham.

But even his top flight experience could not tempt Maynard to drop Mark Woodrow after his sterling work at Wasps last week.

* Bees have been forced to bite the bullet and accept £20,000 from the RFU as reward for reaching the sem-finals of the Powergen Cup.

The club are furious at, in their eyes, being treated like second class citizens after gatecrashing the Premiership party by beating Wasps last Sunday.

But after making their point about the double standards for non-Premiership clubs, they will take the RFU's compensation offer.

BEES: D Knight, Baxter, Nabaro, Woof, Takarangi, Woodrow, P knight; Tkachuk, Merritt, Sigley, Davidson, Orgee, Fakatou, Carter, Jenner. Replacements: Long, Hubbleday, Walton, White, Richardson, Strange, Gregory.

 

It may still be seen as scant remuneration for giving up a place in the Powergen Shield where they stood to win £30,000 had they played in and eventually won the tournament.

The RFU agreed to find additional funds to compensate the Bees after a loophole was exposed in competition funding by their quarter-final win at London Wasps last Sunday. There is no provision in the cup prize money pool for a National League club progressing to the last four of the cup.

Pertemps Bees' board members agreed the settlement after a telephone conference this morning in which they pressed for a greater hand-out.

"We are grateful to the RFU for recognising our achievement in reaching the semi-finals of the Powergen Cup," said Pertemps Bees' director Lawrence Grove.

"There is no provision for funding for National League clubs reaching this stage of the competition and the RFU have listened to our representations.

"While we are disappointed that we could not be reinstated into the Powergen Shield we hope that, having raised a number of apparent anomalies in the regulations, that those will be reviewed for next season."

With the potential row now resolved Bees can return their attention to tomorrow's clash with Orrell in the league which could settle the second and third places in the First Division.

Pertemps Bees boss Phil Maynard has insisted he wouldn't swap Dave and Paul Knight for anybody ahead of tomorrow's visit of Orrell.

The clash is given extra spice by the presence of full-back Leigh Hinton and scrum-half Gavin Cattle, who both left the Bees last summer for full-time rugby with Orrell and a shot at reaching the Premiership.

However, the North-West side have not seriously challenged for the National One title this season and indeed are only one point ahead of the Bees.

And in the meantime the Knight brothers - who both signed new playing contracts this week - have flourished in Hinton and Cattle's former positions.

"A couple of players did leave last summer - and they've had a marvellous season, haven't they?" said Maynard pointedly about the pair.

"But it's worked out perfectly because it was always a dilemma who to play at full-back and scrum-half, and now Dave and Paul have really blossomed as players.

"They've played some of their best rugby this season."

Paul has committed himself to another two years at Sharmans Cross Road, while Dave has done likewise for one season after this.

Beyond any personal battles, Maynard and his players have high hopes of upsetting another full-time side this weekend and keeping alive their dream of finishing as runners-up to Worcester.

They came desperately close to winning at Edgehall Road in November before slipping to a 20-13 defeat.

The only change from Sunday's 28-24 dream win over Wasps is a forced one.

Mike Davies' ankle injury means the Bees will start with the centre pairing that ended the game so well last week, Shaun Woof at 12 with Luke Nabaro outside him.

Fly-half Jason Strange comes onto the bench days after his signing from Premiership strugglers Rotherham.

But even his top flight experience could not tempt Maynard to drop Mark Woodrow after his sterling work at Wasps last week.

* Bees have been forced to bite the bullet and accept £20,000 from the RFU as reward for reaching the sem-finals of the Powergen Cup.

The club are furious at, in their eyes, being treated like second class citizens after gatecrashing the Premiership party by beating Wasps last Sunday.

But after making their point about the double standards for non-Premiership clubs, they will take the RFU's compensation offer.

BEES: D Knight, Baxter, Nabaro, Woof, Takarangi, Woodrow, P knight; Tkachuk, Merritt, Sigley, Davidson, Orgee, Fakatou, Carter, Jenner. Replacements: Long, Hubbleday, Walton, White, Richardson, Strange, Gregory.

 

Strange, aged 30, has regis-tered with the Bees until the end of the season and is on the bench for Sunday's game against Orrell. The Knight brothers - scrum-half Paul and full-back Dave - have signed on the dotted lines after having a fine season at Sharmans Cross Road.

"Jason has got experience in the Premiership and will be a good addition to the squad," said director of rugby Phil

Maynard, who nevertheless keeps faith with in-form Mark Woodrow.

"And we're delighted that Dave and Paul have extended their contracts with us."

Strange's arrival is a timely boost as it provides the competition at fly-half that Woodrow has lacked because of Craig Chalmers' persistent injuries.

Meanwhile, Maynard's men are National League One's side of the month for February after their heroics at Wasps.

The award is due solely to the Cup win, though, as Maynard freely admits that their league form has been patchy.

 

 

The director of rugby is adamant that the return to league rugby between trips to Premiership giants Wasps and Newcastle should not be taken lightly.

And he thinks the exertions of Sunday's 28-24 win are the perfect preparation for the visit of another set of full-timers to Sharmans Cross Road.

"I did think beforehand that the Wasps game would be an excellent way to prepare for the challenge of Orrell," said Maynard.

"It was too - with the added bonus that we won!

"Obviously it was a tough game on Sunday but the mood that the troops are in this week more than makes up for any tiredness. We'll go in with all guns blazing."

Maynard is demanding that his squad remove the March 14 semi-final at Newcastle from their minds. "I will be reminding the players in training this week to put all thoughts of the semi-final out of their minds," he added.

"The Orrell game is a clash between second and third in this division and it might well determine who finishes as runnersup to Worcester.

"It's another game against full-time opposition and we will need to be as committed and focused as we were at Wasps. If we allow our thoughts to drift back one week or forward to Newcastle we will be in trouble."

If nothing else, the squad's continuing desire to show former tem-mates Gavin Cattle and Leigh Hinton that they were wrong to join Orrell last summer will spur them on.

Last night's training session, coming so soon after their quarter-final, was non-contact and concentrated on fitness work.

But Maynard said: "We will not be taking it easy."

The Bees' only fitness worries are centre Mike Davies, who twisted an ankle and came off at Wasps, and their new national star Mark Woodrow who has a slight groin strain.

But they are both expected to be fine to rejoin the back line for Sunday.

l Bees have received an initial allocation of 300 tickets for the Powergen Cup semi-final against Newcastle Falcons at Kingston Park.

Tickets will be on sale at Sharmans Cross Road from Thursday March 11 and are priced £21 for seats (concessions £11) and £13 for standing (concessions £7). Further tickets may be made available by Newcastle depending on demand on Tyneside.

Bees are organising coaches for the trip to Kingston Park and bookings can be made on 0121 704 4907. The match, the biggest in Bees' history, will be televised live on BBC's Grandstand.

 

 

The part-timers from the Midlands did not expect to receive anything following Sunday's victory over the Premiership champions, because all the season's RFU prize-money was to be divided between the top-flight clubs based on league position and progress made in the cup.

However, following the Bees' 28-24 win, the RFU's community rugby and operations director, Terry Burwell, said: "Due to Birmingham Pertemps Bees' superb performance and their ongoing participation in the Powergen Cup, there is some doubt regarding their participation in the Powergen Shield."

The Shield is a four-team competition made up of the losers of the Powergen Cup quarter-finals, whose winners take home £30,000.

"Although we have not received a formal approach from Birmingham Pertemps Bees, we are actively looking at ensuring that they are not financially penalised for their participation in the Powergen Cup," Burwell continued.

Before yesterday's decision from the RFU, the Bees' director of rugby, Phil Maynard, said: "The ironic thing is we didn't get a penny for Sunday. There is no precedent for an FDR [First Division Rugby] club getting this far. It's cost us money because we are now out of the Shield semi-final, which we'd like to have won against Wakefield at home," he said. "That would have taken us to Twickenham and given us the opportunity to earn £30,000. But there's an anomaly occurred which we are making representations about to the RFU at the moment."

The Bees will now receive 40 per cent of gate takings from Sunday's match, and face Newcastle in the last four.

The former New Zealand forward Zinzan Brooke is relishing the prospect of coaching the Barbarians against Leicester in the NIG Challenge match tomorrow. The 39-year-old, capped 58 times by the All Blacks, also played three times for the Barbarians - twice against Leicester.

"Barbarians rugby is not really about structure, it's about instinct and combinations. The Barbarians like to play with great freedom," Brooke said.

The Baa-Baas squad includes Wales' points-scoring record holder Neil Jenkins, South Africa's Joost van der Westhuizen and the legendary Fijian Sevens player,Waisale Serevi.

Pertemps Bees go into this weekend's Powergen Cup special at London Wasps with the message: Don't underestimate us.

The Sharmans Cross Road side know they will be big outsiders for Sunday's Cup quarter-final at the Causeway Stadium.

But skipper Ed Orgee says they don't want to be seen as no-hopers, just there to make up the numbers.

"For a few players this will be the biggest game of their careers, but we do have a lot of experienced names," said Orgee.

"For example, Jim Jenner has been to a Twickenham final and scored a try while there are several other players with top level experience."

Number eight Jenner's recovery from a slight neck injury is vital to the Bees' slim chances, but Hese Fakatou, Nathan Carter and Kevin Tkachuk are also tough experienced forwards.

Shaun Woof and Luke Nabaro have Premiership experience, too, and with Wasps missing a host of players the experience gap may not be as great as expected. Wasps have got a few injuries, plus they're without their England players, and if you take them out you're left with a few players that aren't that well known," said Orgee.

"There's probably not that much difference between a squad player at Wasps and a first teamer with one of the big National One teams, and I think we've competed well against sides like that. Obviously we're still second favourites, but if we can get at them in the first 20 minutes and stay in touch then it will start to play on their minds.

"Fitness could be an issue, although we've shown good staying power this season. It is important that we finish well, because it would be a shame if we did all the hard work but then let them score heavily in the final quarter."

Orgee and several current team-mates were almost involved in a big Powergen Cup upset two seasons ago, when they led bravely at Northampton Saints until losing in the last 15 minutes.

But the captain - who unfortunately was sinbinned in that game - says the Bees are a much better side now than then.

 

 

 

 

As club captain and heartbeat of the forwards, Orgee even moved positions in the summer to help out a side short of quality second rows and, perhaps more than anyone, deserves a day in the sun against London Wasps.

And as typifies the man when he leads his side out for the biggest match in their history, it will be thoughts for his team-mates that fill his head, instead of wondering how he is going to win lineout ball from Simon Shaw, one of the most gifted locks in the country.

"Personally, I am definitely feeling excited about the game, but also a bit apprehensive too to be honest," said the 27-year-old.

"I want us to go there and do really well, so there is a little bit of concern about the guys from that point of view. But as long as we go there and take it to them, I don't see that being too much of a problem.

"I am not too worried about the physicality, but the pace they play at is very high-velocity; that is what concerns me most," he said.

Which could mean an afternoon scampering round after some of the fastest backs in the country, demanding a defensive effort comparable to that which did for Bedford and Exeter earlier in the campaign.

"Our defence has been strong throughout the season but maybe it has lapsed a bit in the last month," said Orgee.

"It is important that we go there with a big strong disruptive defence and we must believe in ourselves that we are capable of doing that.

"We will keep our defence tight if we can because, the longer we disrupt them, the more our confidence will grow and the pressure will be on them."

That's the nil taken care of then; what about putting a few points on Wasps?

"We will take it to them. If we play a tight, limited, game then I am sure we will get beaten.

"When we have been successful this year, we have played with an open style, so we will try to do that," which also requires a big improvement to what was served up in a recent loss to Otley and below-par wins over Wakefield and Coventry.

"The last month, a few of us and me personally have dropped off from the first ten games," he continued. "We have got a small squad and we started in August, so that is only natural. Phil [Maynard] made the necessary step of dropping people last week, which was the kick up the backside we needed. But a long season is not an excuse for not getting up over the next two weeks."

After Wasps comes the small matter of what many are billing as the second-place play-off, with the Lancastrians currently one point ahead in the race to be runners-up to Worcester.

So despite a playing budget that is one of the smallest in the league, Bees are still fighting on three fronts, the league, the cup and the Powergen Shield. But Orgee knows which one he wants.

"Getting second in the league would be a fairer reflection of our season but, from a romantic point of view, if we could beat Wasps that would be magic," he said.

 

Pertemps Bees will recall their big names for Sunday's mouth-watering trip to Wasps - but two of the club's least experienced players have also earned themselves a squad call-up.

The Powergen Cup quarter-final at High Wycombe is the biggest game in the club's history, and one of the toughest.

So director of rugby Phil Maynard will need his most experienced men on show against such high class opposition.

But he insisted said that flanker Pete Knight and scrum-half Tom Richardson will be on the bench at least after their performances against Wakefield last weekend.

"Pete and Tom really impressed me on Saturday," said Maynard, who rested eight senior men for the scrappy 17-11 win over Wakefield.

"They've given me a few headaches, Pete especially in the back row, and they'll be unlucky if they don't get a bench call out of this at the least."

The rush of talent back to the first-team - after a week of total or partial rest - will make things difficult for a number of those who played last weekend.

In the back-row, Pete Knight's starting place is under threat from Hese Fakatou while Jim Jenner should also be back after a minor neck strain last week.

But Duncan White, who started at No8 against Wakefield, is in danger of dropping out of the 22 altogether.

At scrum-half, the experienced Paul Knight should usurp Richardson but the former Worcester Academy man did prove to Maynard that he can be more than just a mere squad player.

"I wanted the players that came in against Wakefield to make my life difficult when I was selecting the side for Wasps, and a couple of people did that," said Maynard.

Captain Ed Orgee, Nick Baxter, Mike Davies and Terry Sigley are also likely to return.

Even with a refreshed side the Bees are under no illusions as to the size of the task this Sunday, and they know that an unfocussed performance could see them lose heavily at Wasps' High Wycombe ground.

 

The consortium have already failed in an attempt to buy the place of Wimbledon in London Two South.

An informal approach was made to the Solihull-based Bees by former England coach Dick Best, who is acting as an advisor to the consortium, but it was rejected.

"We have been sounded out but the answer is no," said Bees chairman Steve Blundell. "We have ambitions to achieve Premiership status under our own steam."

On the pitch the Bees limbered up for the biggest game in their history, next Sunday's Powergen Cup quarter-final at Wasps, by beating Wakefield 17-11 at Sharmans Cross Road on Saturday.

Bees skipper Ed Orgee was glad to make a difference after his first ever substitute appearance for the club.

Orgee came off the bench with Terry Sigley and Hese Fakatou for the last quarter at Sharmans Cross Road and helped turn a 11-7 deficit into a 17-11 win.

And despite expecting to warm the bench all afternoon, the second-row enjoyed a cameo ahead of his expected full return next to the side next Sunday.

"That was actually the first time I'd ever been on the bench, for the Bees at least," said Orgee.

"So it was a bit of a strange experience, although coming on fresh for the last 20 minutes against tired opposition was pretty enjoyable. I would have preferred a full rest, but we needed to make changes and I think myself, Terry and Hese did make a difference.

"Phil made so many changes for this game because we needed a kick up the backside and hopefully we got it.

"But it was important that we didn't lose the game with such a changed side, and we came though well."

All three forwards, plus Jim Jenner who had a stiff neck on Saturday, are expected to come back to the starting side for the Wasps trip next week.

Meanwhile, the Bees have revealed that they turned down an audacious approach from a group of South African businessmen to buy the club and move it to London.

The group are trying to buy a franchise in the National Leagues, and use South African professionals in an attempt to esrn promotion to the Premiership.

But the Bees say they turned them down flat when they were approached.

Whether it is the unashamedly commercial monicker or the brash no-one-likes-us-we-don't-care playing style, Pertemps Bees have been ruffling a few feathers this season.

But it seems their own wings have been clipped.

Phil Maynards side whimpered to their fourth defeat of an otherwise impressive National One campaign last Saturday but it is not the loss of vital league points that bothers the director of rugby most.

Its not even the relatively poor account his players gave of themselves losing 26-12 at Otley - Maynard is much more concerned with the bigger picture.

As he sifts through the wreckage of Cross Green the thing that strikes the former Worcester coach most is that his entire squad is not just walking, but running, jumping and playing, wounded.

Saturdays result is just indicative of what a tiny squad we have, said Maynard, whose playing resources are being stretched to the limit.

There is not a bloke at this club who does not have a dent in some way, they are all playing with an injury. They are so tired because we have had only one weekend off since the season started and once again we are playing this weekend when everybody else is off.

Bees problem is the fixture congestion that comes with progress in the Powergen Cup. The league programme at level two simply does not allow for National One sides to reach the last eight of the senior cup competition and what should have been free weekends are filled with bread-and-butter matches such as Saturdays against Wakefield.

Maynard said: In some ways we are a victim of our own success. It is difficult for players like Terry Sigley and Ed Orgee, who have played every single game and have been to every training session, to remain focused for a whole season without a break.

The blokes have played flat out and it is taking its toll on us now and we are creaking a bit as a squad but even if we do not win another game this season what we have achieved has been a magnificent effort. We have lost only four league games this season and that is outstanding.

It is indeed and although Maynard doesnt expect to lose too many of the seven remaining league matches it is the Powergen Shield clash with Wakefield rather than this weekends National One encounter that concerns him more.

Victory in that match at the end of March would guarantee Bees a first trip to Twickenham and would be a wonderfully decorative bauble with which to embellish their season.

While Maynard recognises his problems stem from their extended involvement in the knock-out competition, he freely admits he would not change it.

He said: That Cup success is sending signals to everybody involved in the sport, especially sponsors, because if we are going to push for honours we need a bigger squad.

I am going to start banging the drum about our small squad because we need another five players in crucial positions so that we can rotate, rest and even put some pressure on certain positions in the team which would be great at this stage of the season.

We have proved we can do it without breaking the bank but with a lot of ability and strong back-up team now what we need is some rich sponsor to contact me.

If said sugar daddy could step forward before Bees visit Premiership champions Wasps in the Powergen Cup quarter-final on February 29 Maynard could be left with enough time to look through the transfer window.

Maynard still has not ruled out doing a bit more than window shopping before Fridays deadline although whether he can find the right player at the right price to significantly improve an over-achieving Bees squad is debatable.

 

Pertemps Bees boss Phil Maynard has put his players through the mill this week ahead of their trip to Otley tomorrow.

Despite a seven-game unbeaten run, the Bees' recent form has left the coaching staff at Sharmans Cross Road deeply dissatisfied.

So as soon as the final whistle blew on the Bees' unconvincing win over Coventry last Saturday, Maynard decided there would be a physical price to pay.

"Things got pretty serious this week," said Maynard. "It wasn't pretty on the training field.

"I knew that the training sessions needed to be tough to re-focus our minds, so there were quite a few duels going on among our forwards. But we came out of it well, and I'm a lot more confident about our chances against Otley than I was last Saturday."

Maynard feels the problems within the side are more to do with attitude than personnel.

So the only changes to the Bees line-up come on the wings, where finesse gives way to power as Nick Baxter and Geoff Gregory come in for Luke Nabaro and Aaron Takarangi.

In the home fixture against Otley, it was only a last-minute interception try by Baxter that secured a 32-23 win.

And despite the Yorkshiremen's poor recent form tomorrow's game could be another tight affair, particularly if their weathered front row perform.

But the Bees director of rugby believes the number nine and 10 shirts will be the key to the result at Cross Green.

Paul Knight and Mark Woodrow did not have the best of games against Coventry, particularly with the boot, but they will need to be on their game against Otley.

Dave Scully and Simon Binns form one of the most experienced half-back units in the division.

"The half-backs are where Otley can win the game," admitted Maynard. "But it's also where they can lose it."

BEES (probable): D Knight, Baxter, Woof, Davies, Gregory, Woodrow, P Knight; Sigley, Hubbleday, Tchakuk, Walton, Orgee, Fakatou, Carter, Jenner. Replacements: Long, Merritt, Davidson, White, Richardson, Takarangi, Nabaro.

Having won all their matches since Worcester beat them nearly three months ago, Pertemps Bees can live with the suggestion that they are not playing especially well.

They remain well on course for the First Division runners-up position and despite the perceptible dip in form (Phil Maynard, the director of rugby, called them inept against Coventry last week) they are a better equipped side now then they were when they embarked on their momentous season.

Which is a claim that they will be at pains to substantiate when they face Otley in Yorkshire tomorrow.

That they are not at their peak is a relative observation; relative to the increasingly high standards that they set themselves.

"There is a great deal of determination to remain at a consistent level of achievement," said Maynard. "No matter that they sometimes struggle, the side never feel that they are not in control. That's our strength."

But that strength, he acknowledges, is going to be well tested at Otley.

"We had a lot of trouble with them when they came here but, then, every side have trouble with them, especially on their own patch," said Maynard. "They nearly beat Worcester at the start of the season."

Otley's primary thrust comes from their prop forwards, Kris Fulman and Justin Ring. And their game is developed by perhaps the two most experienced half-backs in the division, Simon Binns and Dave Scully.

"It's all pretty basic," said Maynard. "They have a tremendous platform and a pair of halfbacks who can run the game. That always make them a big threat in the set pieces."

The Bees effectiveness in the set pieces has been enhanced since the arrival of the Canadian prop forward, Kevin Tkatchuk. So is their forward effort, generally. Tkatchuk is new to the club, hasn't been through the mill like the rest of the squad and therefore exudes a sense of freshness that is much appreciated.

Not too many 19st-plus loose head forwards around who can cover 100 metres in around even time.

"He's always at full bore," says an admiring Maynard. A tryscoring prop, to boot. Tkatchuk is part of a full-strength squad travelling to Otley.

Worcester have rarely had to exert themselves unduly since their visit to Yorkshire last September and the remainder of their season, some imagine, is a lap of honour.

Not that they are disposed to look as far ahead as April. They are in what could be described as a coasting period now - Manchester last week and Wakefield, away, tomorrow - but try telling John Brain that the remaining programme is a sinecure.

He's in the business of scouring the rest of the journey for banana skins but it will be a massive surprise if he comes across one at College Grove. Wakefield, who have adorned this division for so long, are in desperate danger of leaving it.

Pertemps Bees have the World Cup trophy on display at Sharmans Cross Road tomorrow --but it is the prospect of a local derby clash with Coventry that has really lit up the club.

Once the Webb Ellis Trophy has been paraded, Phil Maynard's side get down to the serious business of securing a seventh successive National One win.

On paper struggling Coventry should be no match for the Bees but local rivalry can be a great leveller.

"If you don't get excited by the prospect of a clash with Coventry, then you don't belong in the game," said director of rugby Maynard.

"This is one of the biggest games of our season, and the presence of the World Cup makes it an even bigger draw."

Although new Coventry boss John White did some scouting work for the Bees this season, it is Maynard who hopes to get the inside track on this weekend's opposition - thanks to their in-form Canadian prop Kevin Tkachuk.

"There are about four Canadian internationals in the Cov side, so I've had a long chat with Kevin before training about what to expect," said Maynard.

The Bees have made changes after last week's unconvincing 19-17 win at Henley, although the only addition to the squad is fit-again fly-half and World Cup player Craig Chalmers.

Luke Nabaro is promoted to a starting role on the wing opposite Aaron Takarangi, meaning that Nick Baxter has to settle - like Chalmers - for a replacement slot.

Otherwise, Paul Knight and skipper Ed Orgee have both declared themselves fit for the game to leave Maynard with his strongest side for weeks.

In the hour prior to the 2pm kick-off, the RFU's Sweet Chariot Tour will bring the Webb Ellis Trophy to Shar-mans Cross Road.

Tomorrow's clash will be a family affair for the White family dynasty.

Replacement Duncan White is likely to see some game time against his father John's side, while wife and mother Sue is still involved with the catering at Shar-mans Cross Road.

And Bees skipper Orgee wouldn't be in the least bit surprised if prolific super-sub Duncan had a big say in the outcome in the game.

"I don't know how he does it, but Duncan has an uncanny knack of coming off the bench and scoring late tries," said Orgee.

"He'll be dying to make an impression against Coventry.

"Having Duncan, John and Sue around is bound to result in a bit of family rivalry, although I'm sure it will be a friendly one."

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

 

JECKYLL and Hyde Bees made up for a woeful first half performance to over-whelm relegation threatened Henley in difficult conditions last Saturday.

In squally showers and having barely mounted an attack of note during the first half Bees looked short of spirit and desire against a fiercely committed Henley.

After a scrappy start the hosts took control, and inspired by impressive fly-half Barry Reeves alongside a pack defying their weight disadvantage they deserved their shock 10-0 half time lead.

Bees went behind after full back Dave Knight was put under pressure from a high kick.

Reeves kicked for the corner, and from the resulting line out, he broke through Bees' fragile defence to set up debutant second row forward Stephen Green for a simple try.

And when Reeves converted before kicking a 35th minute penalty after Terry Sigley was penalised for coming into a ruck from the side, things were looking bleak for the visitors.

But inspired by a true captain's performance by Ed Orgee, a change of shirts and some harsh words by coach Phil Maynard, Bees came out after half time transformed.

Within two minutes Knight made up for his earlier error by outpacing his opposite number to score in the corner, after a well timed pass by Jim Jenner had set up the opportunity.

And just eight minutes later they took the lead. Following more pressure on the Henley pack, the hosts gave away a series of penalties, allowing Mark Woodrow to set up an attacking lineout on the five metre line.

A well worked move allowed the ball to be spread quickly to centre Mike Davies, who picked the perfect line to slice through the visiting defence.

Kevin Tkachuk's touched down from close range on the hour mark allowing Mark Woodrow to score his second conversion and increase the lead to nine points.

But a mixture of gritty defence kept Henley in touch, and when newly selected England Sevens International Nnamdi Obi jinked past a tired looking Bees defence to score from 35 yards, it set up a nervy last ten minutes for the visitors.

THE Rugby World Cup - the William Webb Ellis Cup - will be on display at Per-temps Bees' Shar-mans Cross Road headquarters tomorrow.

The trophy will be visiting as part of the nationwide Sweet Chariot tour.

North Midlands have the honour of being the first of the RFU's 35 Constituent Bodies to have the trophy and it will visit local clubs and schools during its three day visit to the county.

The trophy will spend Saturday morning in Victoria Square in Birmingham and then be taken by road to Sharmans Cross Road for Bees' National League One game against Coventry.

The trophy is due to arrive at the ground at 1pm, an hour before kick-off, and it will leave during the half time interval.

"We are delighted and honoured to have such a famous trophy at the club," said Tony Moir, the Pertemps Bees' general manager.

"We know that every club in the country would like to host the trophy and we are thrilled that we have been chosen as one of the hosts during its stay in the North Midlands."

Meanwhile, Bees will be without flanker Tom Jordan who has been ruled out of the game after damaging ankle ligaments in the win at penzance having also missed last week's 19-17 success at struggling Henley.

The injury needs at least another week's rest and Jordan will not be considered for selection before the trip to Otley on February 14. Nathan Carter retains his place at openside flanker in Jordan's absence.

Bees will give precautionary fitness tests to scrum-half Paul Knight (sore neck) and skipper Ed Orgee (ankle) before they finalise their side but both are expected to be passed fit.

The game will mark a swift return to Sharmans Cross Road for Coventry's new head coach John White. The former Moseley playing supremo spent the first half of the season scouting for the Bees but took charge at Coventry two weeks ago.

White's wife Sue runs the catering at Pertemps Bees and their son Duncan is likely to be named in the squad as a back-row replacement.

Pertemps Bees boss Phil Maynard has urged his side to keep up their battle for second place in National One - just in case it opens up a shock route into England's top flight.

The Bees' pursuit of Orrell, still just one point ahead after they both dropped bonus points at the weekend, is more than academic for the club.

The RFU has made a habit of shifting the goalposts at a late stage, and the annual rumours it may create a 16 team Premier-ship Conference have again raised their heads.

That would involve two teams, not just Worcester, being promoted for the next two seasons and the Bees want to be the outsiders to gatecrash that party this summer.

"As ever we don't know what's going to happen at the end of the season," said director of rugby Maynard, who wants more than the honourary title of being the 14th best side in the country.

"There are always stories circling around, but all we can do is try as hard as we can to finish second.

"We can't realistically catch Worcester, but we can finish second - and then who knows?"

That chain of events would still leave the Bees hopelessly unqualified in terms of their ground, unless development plans for their Portway stadium proceed at a hefty pace in coming weeks.

But whatever the end result, Maynard would dearly love to upset big-spending Orrell - who include former Bees Leigh Hinton and Gavin Cattle - and finish as National One runners-up.

"For a side like Orrell to be just a single league point ahead of us at this stage of the season must be a worry for them," he said.

"The pressure is all on Orrell because they have a playing budget that dwarves ours and in their position must expect to comfortably finish in the top two.

"It would be an incredible achievement to finish ahead of them."

Bees flanker Tom Jordan has been ruled out of Saturday's Sharmans Cross Road clash with Coventry, although captain Ed Orgee and Paul Knight are expected to declare themselves fit.

Jordan missed the 19-17 win at Henley last weekend damaging ankle ligaments in the previous win at Penzance & Newlyn, letting in Nathan Carter.

His injury needs at least another week's rest and Jordan will not be considered for selection before the trip to Otley on February 14.

The Bees' coaching staff will give precautionary fitness tests to scrum-half Knight and Orgee this week after they suffered a neck and ankle injury at Henley.

However, both are expected to start against Coventry in what could well be an unchanged side as Orgee's men look for their seventh successive win.

The local derby marks a swift return to Sharmans Cross Road for Coventry's new head coach John White. The former Moseley playing supremo spent the first half of the season scouting for the Bees but took charge at troubled Coundon Road two weeks ago.

The links run deep as five of the Bees forwards expected to play were coached by White at Moseley - including his son flanker Duncan, who is likely to continue in his 'supersub' role.

 

They have second-placed Orrell clearly in their sights and are only one point adrift of that runners-up spot that director of rugby, Phil Maynard covets.

That the Bees are in prime form was demonstrated at Penzance last week when they scored nine tries.

Great tries, Maynard elaborated. There was no point in going all that way and not putting on a show. But we did not defend as well as we would have liked. Maynard is expecting a tough match at Henley.

The Thames Valley club have recruited Oxford University No 8, Tom Hamer and South African centre in recent weeks, Ricardo van Zyl in recent weeks.

Were looking for the runners-up spot and theyre scrapping for survival, he said. That makes it difficult for us and in the end its going to come down to who wants the victory more. Kevin Tkachuk, the Bees new Canadian prop forward, was injured scoring his second try at Penzance but has been able to train this week and has been pencilled into the squad.

If this game had been an examination in spirit and desire, Bees would have just about scraped a 'C' grade. That they passed at all, however, should be considered something of a success given their abject first-half performance.

Having barely mounted an attack of note and 10-0 down to a fiercely committed Henley, they looked in danger of being blown away by a simple combination of ferocious tackling and some astute tactical kicking.

But thanks to a 'robust' half-time talk by coach Phil Maynard, there was a marked improvement in the second period.

"You could sense beforehand that the lads weren't looking forward to it, so it was a matter of trying to get them motivated to come here and win and we did that," said Maynard, with just the hint of a relieved smile.

"I just said to them at half-time to keep the ball, string some phases together and play behind their ten-metre line and when we did that, the game was easy."

Indeed it was, but the worry is, of course, that there would have been no way back against superior opposition.

Because, while the hosts were undoubtedly spurred on by the threat of relegation, they should have posed few problems for the visitors - with the possible exception of newly-selected England Sevens winger Nnamdi Obi.

When Bees did come out fired up in the second half, Henley were barely able to get meaningful possession or get out of their own territory.

So much so that, within ten minutes of the restart, Stephen Green's converted 24th-minute try and Barry Reeves' 35th-minute penalty had been nullified.

Two minutes into the second period, following Bees' first multi-phase drive of the game, Dave Knight halved the deficit by outpacing his opposite number to score in the corner. Then Mike Davies picked the perfect line to slice through the home defence after a well-worked attacking line out. And when the outstanding Canadian prop Kevin Tkachuk crashed over on the

With Reeves converting, that made it just a two-point gap which, given the half-hour that preceded it, was perhaps harsh on Bees, but they never looked tackling to score.

hour mark, following incessant pressure on the Henley line, to allow Mark Woodrow to slot home his second conversion and make it 19 points as many minutes, a rout seemed possible.

But to their credit the Oxfordshire side kept their discipline and spirit and even made it a nervy last ten minutes for Bees when Obi justified his international selection, jinking past some sluggish

like conceding again and finished the game deep in Henley territory to allow Maynard to reflect on the positives from a tricky game.

He said: "It was really pleasing to see us keep the ball for long periods of the second half and start to string some phases together.

"It has been six wins in a row with only three games lost all season, which is astonishing for a part-time side with a small squad."

Next week brings Coventry to Sharman's Cross Road. "Looking forward to it," said Maynard, and if his team carry on in the manner they finished on Saturday, such confidence is understandable.

HENLEY: P Davies (Osman, 77), Obi, James, O'Driscoll, Ejikeme (Van Zyl, 74), Reeves, Chiltern (Smaje, 63), Johnstone, Hopcroft (Gibbons, 40), Grierson (Cooke, 80), Winterbottom, Green, Gates, Venner (Payne, 50), Hayman, (Hardy, 65).

PERTEMPS BEES: D Knight, Baxter (Gregory, 66), Woof, M Davies, Takarangi, Woodrow, P Knight (Richardson, 69), Tkachuk, Merritt (Hubbleday, h/t), Sigley (Long, 69), Walton (Davidson, 60), Orgee, Fakatou, Carter, Jenner (White, 66).

When Pertemps Bees first sent out signals that they were a club in revival, they counted their supporters at away games singly.

They travelled in cars, recalls director of rugby, Phil Maynard.

Then they started to come by mini-bus. Now they use a 55-seat coach and its full for this weeks game at Henley. And I cant tell you what that does for the team.

Bees are building a genuine support base and whats more, theyre building improved facilities at Sharmans Cross Road. Being the 15th best team in England carries certain responsibilities.

If form is maintained, Bees will improve their status. No-one is going to knock Worcester off the top of the First Division but the Bees have second-placed Orrell very clearly in their sights.

They are only one point adrift of the runners-up spot that Maynard so profoundly covets. Which is a tremendous achievement by our players and coaches, he said.

That the Bees are in prime form was resoundingly demonstrated at Penzance last week. They scored nine tries.

Great tries, Maynard elaborated. There was no point in going all that way and not putting on a show.

Then he qualified his praise in the light of the fact that Penzance had scored four tries themselves. We did not defend as well as we would have liked.

But he paid due credit to Penzance and made the forecast that Coventry might find them a handful at Coundon Road tomorrow. They are definitely not as bad a side as theyre perceived to be.

As it is approaching that time of the season when sides at the bottom end of leagues realise their plight and start fighting for survival, Maynard is expecting a tough match at Henley.

The Thames Valley club have recruited determinedly in recent weeks and have picked up the Oxford University No 8, Tom Hamer, and the South African centre, Ricardo van Zyl, and they are men whom Maynard respects.

Were looking for the runners-up spot and theyre scrapping for survival, he said. That makes it difficult for us and in the end its going to come down to who wants the victory more.

Kevin Tkachuk, the Bees new Canadian prop forward, was injured scoring his second try at Penzance but has been able to train this week and has been pencilled into the squad.

Everyone else is fit, including Craig Chalmers, and it remains to be seen where the old Scottish international fits into the match plans.

 

And it is an offer Maynard, currently an automotive electrician, is considering as he prepares for the National division one clash at Henley Hawks tomorrow.

Discussions are ongoing with the former the former Worcester coach who turned down the chance of a full time position during his time at Sixways.

With Sharmans Cross Road buzzing at the moment due to Bees place in the last eight of the Powergen Cup, and also third spot in the league a point behind big spending Orrell, he is now having second thoughts.

"It is something we are discussing. We have to make sure the club is on a strong footing to go forward," he said.

Maynard's duties would not be limited to on-field action as he explains: "It's a big decision for me. I feel we have raced ahead quickly on the field this season but my job would encompass taking the club forward off the field.

"Part of the process is getting rugby into local schools and us being part of the community. It would also include player negotiations, recruitment and other things. It really is a big job.

"We are playing some of the best rugby ever in this area but off field we haven't got the facilities to go with it. And we are the only club in our division without a full time administration."

He also said the playing achievements of the club should not be underestimated.

"Top five was our goal at the start of the season and that is in our own hands. But we are a point behind an Orrell side who have spent £1 million on players, people take that for granted.

"And we have just completed a clean sweep of the south west which no-one would have thought a team from Birmingham would have done at the start of the season."

Meanwhile, Maynard expects to have a full strength squad available for the Henley game.

The main doubt concerned Canadian prop Kevin Tkachuk, a double try scorer at Penzance last weekend, who has a twisted knee.

But the Bees' director of rugby said: "Kevin has done a bit of light training and if he suffers no reaction he should be okay. Other than that we just have a few bumps and bruises which all teams have at this time of the season."

 

The Bees are hot on the heels of second-placed Orrell in National One, despite their part-time status.

But Woof says the freshness of training just two nights a week and the 'gang mentality' at Sharmans Cross Road, may have helped rather than hindered them.

"It's a very relaxed atmosphere compared to other clubs," said Woof, who has scored 10 tries this season.

"There are no hard and fast routines - the coaches just say 'see you on Saturday' and then we meet up.

"It must be working though, because we're as high as we can possibly be with a semi-professional set-up. Our league position shows the quality of the players and maybe being part-time suits this particular group of players.

"It's such a tight knit gang that we never feel that we're going to lose games.

He added: "Any more than two nights training a week and it could affect our work commitments and take some of the fun out of it. It's all about enjoying your rugby.

Woof believes the Bees can finish as runners-up to Worcester.

"We're well ahead of bigger clubs like Bristol, Plymouth and Exeter," he said. "In fact, we're more concerned about catching Orrell than staying third."

Pertemps Bees' quest to complete a record season by finishing second in National One has received a boost from an unlikely source.

Worcester coach Andy Keast has given the Sharmans Cross minnows his vote as the team most likely finish runners-up to his runaway leaders.

John Brain's right-hand man at Sixways was speaking following the surprise loss by Orrell last weekend, which may have opened the door for Bees.

Despite having lost to Worcester ten days ago, most commentators thought the Lancastrians, one of the best-funded clubs in the division, would hold on to second place ahead of the in-form Solihull side.

But a further loss at Plymouth last weekend means third-placed Bees moved to within a point and with Orrell to visit Sharmans Cross Road on March 6, second place is still very much up for grabs.

"Birmingham, as we have always said, are a good side," said Keast. "Orrell losing will give them a big incentive now.

"If they can beat us and Orrell and win their others, they could end up second. For them, that is a massive target," said Keast.

The Devonian's generosity did not extend to first place, however. "I do genuinely believe that our only threat is ourselves and I say that because I believe in the squad and I believe in our ability and if we work really hard and we are really professional, then I think we can do the job."

The task in hand and the challenge a highly-motivated squad have set themselves is to finish the season having won all 26 of their league games.

That maps out a potential collision course between Keast's prediction for Bees and his own club's aspirations. The two sides are scheduled to meet at Sixways on the last day of the season and if Bees do pay Orrell back for beating them at Edge Hall Road last November, the season's denouement could be a classic.

Worcester would need to win to complete the perfect season and Phil Maynard's men may require victory to be sure of second and with Maynard a former director of rugby at Sixways, the match would be rich in sub-plots.

As pleased as Maynard is about Keast's kind words, Bees' top man refused to speculate about the final game of the season. "There is a lot of rugby to be played between now and then," he said, pragmatic as ever.

"Our primary objective is to win the next game and before that, we have also got a massive Powergen Shield semi-final against Wakefield and a huge Powergen Cup quarter-final with Wasps, which are big days in the club's history."

First and foremost in Maynard's thoughts will be Saturday's trip to struggling Henley Hawks and whether Canadian international prop Kevin Tkachuk will be fit enough to join the squad.

The Oxford University student twisted a knee scoring his second try in the 53-32 victory over Penzance & Newlyn last Saturday and will have a fitness test in training this week. In the meantime, former Moseley prop Matt Long is on stand-by.

Until Christmas, Pertemps Bees took the greatest of pleasure from counting their victories that accumulated nicely, one by one.

Now they are counting their doubles. Exeter, away, then Bristol have been beaten for the second time which is spectacular confirmation of the calibre of the Bees' rugby. And a positive augury for tomorrow's trip to Penzance & Newlyn.

"We've got quite a good record against South West clubs," says Phil Maynard with all due modesty. A good record against nearly everybody else, too. And if it has improved after tomorrow, the Bees are preparing themselves for a new incentive.

The director of rugby expects a tough time of it down where the famous pirates come from but he also expects to win. "In which case," he said, "we can then set our sights on Orrell." Which means that Bees are looking for the First Division runners-up spot behind Worcester.

When they set out on what is proving to be a remarkable season, they spoke of a top-five finish. Now the talk is of top two.

"We don't fear anybody in this league," Maynard adds. "We certainly don't fear Orrell and finishing the season in second place is well within our remit. And I say that while accepting that we're still in the early stages of our building programme."

A runners-up challenge this season? What next? The answer to that may be expanded upon in due course. For now the Bees' attention is entirely on Penzance and Maynard describes them as a hard lot who have improved their prospects by the recent acquisition of some decent players.

One of them, Daniel Farini, Maynard knows well. And has good reason to remember.

Farini, a New Zealander, played under Maynard at Stour-bridge and what he remembers is that the Kiwi is of exceptional dimensions, has a velocity that is not common to his build (not too many giants of 6ft 4in can travel at even time) and can play anywhere in the forwards or the outside backs.

"But I think I have a few ideas on how to deal with him," said Maynard. One man who will not be trying to deal with him is the Bees' short-term centre, Suka Hufanga. The Tongan World Cup player is leaving the club.

Hufanga was invited to Birmingham for a trial period which is not being extended. He was informed to this effect last night.

"We've had a struggle to communicate with him," said Maynard. "He's a good player but he just couldn't fit into things."

With Shaun Woof and Mike Davies in exceptional form, the Bees do not feel under strength in the centre department.

The victory at Orrell last week, by popular reckoning, puts Worcester in a virtually unassailable position at the top of the First Division. The dream - the Premiership - beckons. So at what point will John Brain, the director of rugby, accept the accolades? "When our promotion is a mathematical certainty," he responds. "But I'm from Gloucester and I'm not very good at sums."

Brain is prepared to indulge in a modest amount of basking. "To have beaten Orrell twice, to be top of the league and to have reached the middle of January unbeaten is a nice feeling."

The likelihood is, though, that Brain will accept that his club are in the Premiership when they run out for their first match therein next September.

Worcester play Bedford at Sixways tomorrow and this is a match that explains Brain's caution. "To all the other sides, playing us is their cup final and Bedford will have absolutely nothing to lose. They'll have a right go at us. And so will everybody else.

"It would be easy for us to say 'right, we've got Orrell out of the way' and take the rest of the matches as formalities. But we're not going to do that.

"Every week is a potential banana skin; looking around at the rest, even Manchester, who are bottom of the league, are a decent side."

Until Christmas, Pertemps Bees took the greatest of pleasure from counting their victories that accumulated nicely, one by one.

Now they are counting their doubles. Exeter, away, then Bristol have been beaten for the second time which is spectacular confirmation of the calibre of the Bees' rugby. And a positive augury for tomorrow's trip to Penzance & Newlyn.

"We've got quite a good record against South West clubs," says Phil Maynard with all due modesty. A good record against nearly everybody else, too. And if it has improved after tomorrow, the Bees are preparing themselves for a new incentive.

The director of rugby expects a tough time of it down where the famous pirates come from but he also expects to win. "In which case," he said, "we can then set our sights on Orrell." Which means that Bees are looking for the First Division runners-up spot behind Worcester.

When they set out on what is proving to be a remarkable season, they spoke of a top-five finish. Now the talk is of top two.

"We don't fear anybody in this league," Maynard adds. "We certainly don't fear Orrell and finishing the season in second place is well within our remit. And I say that while accepting that we're still in the early stages of our building programme."

A runners-up challenge this season? What next? The answer to that may be expanded upon in due course. For now the Bees' attention is entirely on Penzance and Maynard describes them as a hard lot who have improved their prospects by the recent acquisition of some decent players.

One of them, Daniel Farini, Maynard knows well. And has good reason to remember.

Farini, a New Zealander, played under Maynard at Stour-bridge and what he remembers is that the Kiwi is of exceptional dimensions, has a velocity that is not common to his build (not too many giants of 6ft 4in can travel at even time) and can play anywhere in the forwards or the outside backs.

"But I think I have a few ideas on how to deal with him," said Maynard. One man who will not be trying to deal with him is the Bees' short-term centre, Suka Hufanga. The Tongan World Cup player is leaving the club.

Hufanga was invited to Birmingham for a trial period which is not being extended. He was informed to this effect last night.

"We've had a struggle to communicate with him," said Maynard. "He's a good player but he just couldn't fit into things."

With Shaun Woof and Mike Davies in exceptional form, the Bees do not feel under strength in the centre department.

The victory at Orrell last week, by popular reckoning, puts Worcester in a virtually unassailable position at the top of the First Division. The dream - the Premiership - beckons. So at what point will John Brain, the director of rugby, accept the accolades? "When our promotion is a mathematical certainty," he responds. "But I'm from Gloucester and I'm not very good at sums."

Brain is prepared to indulge in a modest amount of basking. "To have beaten Orrell twice, to be top of the league and to have reached the middle of January unbeaten is a nice feeling."

The likelihood is, though, that Brain will accept that his club are in the Premiership when they run out for their first match therein next September.

Worcester play Bedford at Sixways tomorrow and this is a match that explains Brain's caution. "To all the other sides, playing us is their cup final and Bedford will have absolutely nothing to lose. They'll have a right go at us. And so will everybody else.

"It would be easy for us to say 'right, we've got Orrell out of the way' and take the rest of the matches as formalities. But we're not going to do that.

"Every week is a potential banana skin; looking around at the rest, even Manchester, who are bottom of the league, are a decent side."

 

Exeter Chiefs 6 Pertemps Bees 12

SHAUN WOOF scored a late try to strengthen Bees' third place in National division one.

In a tense encounter the visitors held a fragile 5-3 advantage going into the closing stages.

Then Woof found a way through the home defence to give his side some breathing space.

But that hardly tells the story of an exciting clash.

It was strong defence that was the focal point of victory for the visitors.

Bees conceded a number of penalties in the opening quarter which the hosts used to kick for possession rather than points and in the end that had a telling effect on the outcome.

Tongan centre Suka Hufanga was yellow carded on his full Bees' debut for persistent offside.

Chiefs almost capitalised but winger Dermot Kelly was held up over the line by Tom Jordan. It was a reprieve that Bees made full use of.

An attacking scum allowed the influential Jim Jenner and Jordan to create room for Mark Woodrow to kick an upand-under to the left wing where Luke Nabaro was on hand to collect and slide over.

There was no addition to the score before the break but Nick Baxter and Hufanga wasted the chance for another five-pointer with stray passes.

In the 44th minute Tony Yapp reduced the arrears for Exeter with a successful penalty attempt.

Woof scampered over for his late try which Woodrow added the conversion to.

But the action did not end there as Yapp landed his second penalty almost immediately and the visitors were forced to endure a nervy eight minutes of stoppage time before leaving Devon with a win, and their first league double of the campaign. n Pertemps Bees flanker Hese Fakatou has won his appeal against a five-week suspension imposed by an RFU disciplinary panel last month.

The former Tonga international was found guilty of striking an opponent during the National One game at London Welsh on November 22 after he was cited by the opposition.

But the verdict and sentence were both quashed by Richard Smith QC, sitting as an independent arbitrator, when he appeared at the appeal hearing at the Holiday Inn Hotel, Filton, on Monday.

Bees are in action tomorrow when they entertain Bristol Shoguns at Sharmans Cross Road.

Before the game there will be a minute's silence in memory of James Radburn, a Bees' under 15 player who died after suffering a suspected chronic asthma attack last Sunday while playing against Kidderminster at Portway.

Nick Baxter, the Pertemps Bees winger, has gate-crashed another of England's World Cup celebration parties.

England manager Clive Woodward and captain Martin Johnson took the major honours at the Rugby Union Writers Club annual dinner at the Cafe Royal in London, but Baxters try-scoring exploits over the last 12 years were also recognised with a prestigious award.

Baxter, who was the first player to score 100 National League tries, was presented with an inscribed tankard for his Services to Rugby Award.

The winger began his career at Kings Norton and first sprang to prominence with Worcester after being spotted by current coach Phil Maynard during his time at Sixways.

His award, judged by the RUWC committee, was the only non-World Cup related honour at the dinner which was attended by 500 guests. Keith Wood, who captained Ireland in the World Cup, also picked up a Services to Rugby Tankard, Woodward became the recipient of the first Special Award in four years, and Johnson collected the Player of the Year prize.

This is a great honour and it means such a lot to me, Baxter said. But this is really an award for all the people who have helped me throughout my career.

Baxter is the third Midland recipient of a Services to Rugby Award from the RUWC in four years. His coach Phil Maynards efforts were recognised in 2000 and former Moseley coach John White picked up an award 12 months ago.

Pertemps Bees hope that lock Alex Davidson will finally be fit to make his first team comeback against Bristol.

Davidson has been sidelined for a month with a rib cartilage injury which he sustained in the defeat by Worcester.

He was expected to make his comeback against Exeter last Saturday but failed a fitness test in midweek.

Alex was very close to fitness last week but we didnt want to rush him back, then have him suffer another setback and be out for a further six weeks, said director of rugby Phil Maynard.

Hopefully he will be fit to play against Bristol. If, as expected, he is fit Davidson will take Rob Waltons place in a Bees side looking for their fourth win since losing to Worcester last month.

One player who will definitely be thrown into the fray at Sharmans Cross Road is flanker Hese Fakatou, whose decision to appeal against a five-week RFU ban was vindicated yesterday when he was cleared of all charges.

Maynard believed that the citing - made by London Welsh in November after the two clubs met - should never have been made in the first place for what the Bees viewed as a trivial incident.

Meanwhile, the Bees have confirmed they will hold a minutes silence in memory of James Radburn before Saturdays Bristol game.

James, a member of the under-15 team whose father Dave is the clubs commercial manager, died of a suspected chronic asthma attack after a game on Sunday.

Maynard said: Although James was only 14, he was a valued and popular member of the first team squad because of the voluntary work that he did.

He was respected and well-liked by the players and the news of his death has saddened everyone associated with the club.

 

 

26 December 2003 ~ taken from http://www.icbirmingham.com  

Pertemps Bees skipper Ed Orgee wants to make it lucky 13 when his side travel to play Plymouth Albion tomorrow.

The Brickfields Stadium fixture is one of the toughest that the Bees will face all season but victory in this third-v-fourth clash would be a huge boost to their National One ambitions.

Plymouth are one of the sides we have to worry about this season but if we could beat them that could put us 13 points ahead of them in the table, said Orgee.

At the half-way stage that would provide us with a great cushion of three wins between us. Its going to be a tough game, especially in the conditions, but the way we have battled against Worcester and Bedford has given us hope.

The team travel down to Plymouth tonight, cutting short the players festivities.

But Orgee, whose side have not yet had a free weekend thanks to their Cup run, insisted five points would make a great Christmas present.

Director of rugby Phil Maynard has a stronger squad at his disposal than in previous games.

He should have two fit fly-halves, compared to none last week, while Nick Baxter is back in contention after being put on the bench against Bedford.

In the pack , Canadian international Kevin Tkachuk has now had another week to become familiar with the Bees systems and may start while Nathan Carter and Duncan White should be fit again in the back row.

 

At Plymouth. Those thoughtful souls who compose the fixture lists have condemned the Bees to a lengthy spell on the motorway while almost all other clubs in the First Division are playing local derbies.

Phil Maynard, their director of rugby, tried to switch the date. Plymouth turned them down flat. "Everybody else seems to be playing within ten miles of each other," is his lament, "and we get this."

And the Bees lose a training session. "I did think I'd bring them in on Christmas Day," Maynard said, "but I thought better of it."

A journey of this distance, at this time of the year, is hardly conducive to prime performance. Plymouth are tough nuts at the best of times.

"They're tough on their own ground," Maynard said. "They have a big pack, they're pragmatic and they play well around it. And they're sitting just behind us in the league."

None of which, however, lessens the Bees' resolve. "We're going into the second half of the season in third place in the league and that's a great effort," he says. "But we are not sitting back.

"This is something we are determined to build on. We have a great deal to look forward to in the New Year."

Craig Chalmers and Mark Woodrow are back in contention for the fly-half spot and flank forward Nathan Carter will be back in the frame if he passes a fitness test.

Pertemps Bees 24 Bedford 5

BEES bounced back from defeat against Worcester to finish their home campaign for the year on a high note.

Visitors Bedford enjoyed almost all the possession, but unlike a week earlier had not the ability to turn it into points.

For their part the hosts scored two tries in each half grabbing a late bonus when Ed Orgee crossed in injury time.

Paul Knight, starting at fly half in place of injured duo Mark Woodrow and Craig Chalmers, did well and was first on the scoresheet after six minutes exploiting a massive gap in the Bedford defence.

Stand in scrum half Tom Richardson was next to make it across the Bedford line in the 16th minute.

The home side threw a lifeline to their guests when prop Terry Sigley was sin binned for obstruction but four opportunities to kick penalties were refused in favour of running at the home line, but all to no avail.

Despite spending most of the second period in their own 22 Bees still managed to grab the third try of the day. It came on 74 minutes when a penalty kicked to the corner resulted in Rob Walton winning ball at the line-out and Tom Jordan getting his first score of the season which Knight duly converted.

As the game moved into injury time Bedford finally gained reward for all their efforts when Lee Anker touched down in the corner.

But Orgee's late score was enough to gain the extra point and the missed conversion made little difference.

Director of rugby Phil Maynard was forced to play Paul Knight out of position at fly-half in Saturday's 22-5 win over Bedford, and field several reserves in the pack.

They all rose to the occasion at Sharmans Cross Road, particularly flanker Tom Jordan, as third-placed Bees went into Christmas as the best semi-professional side in the country.

But Maynard - whose squad last week consisted of practically every fit player at the club - will still be pleased to have room for manoeuvre at Albion's new Brickfields Stadium.

Mark Woodrow should be declared fit to play at fly-half after a month out, while his rival No.10, Craig Chalmers, is also likely to be available.

Nathan Carter is nearing full fitness too, although openside rival Jordan would consider himself unlucky to be dropped in a game where his tackling and industry would be invaluable.

Woodrow has not played since he broke a bone in his hand in the win against Manchester on November 29, but is expected to be given the all-clear after a final fitness test tonight.

Former Scotland international Chalmers sat out the Bedford game because of a shoulder problem, while Carter has not played since last month's defeat at London Welsh because of cracked ribs.

The return of second row Alex Davidson is less certain, however.

Davidson popped a rib cartilage for the second time this season against Worcester 10 days ago and may take a little longer to recover from the injury. Rob Walton again stands by.

Meanwhile, the Bees have confirmed their appeal against the five week ban handed out to flanker Hese Fakatou by an RFU disciplinary panel last week.

Fakatou was cited by London Welsh after their league game last month and was charged and found guilty of striking an opponent.

A date has yet to be fixed for the appeal - which will be on the length of sentence only --and Maynard is also waiting to hear whether Fakatou will be able to resume playing until the hearing.

If Fakatou is unavailable Duncan White or Peter Knight are most likely to take his place.

 

As Phil Maynard's Pertemps Bees approach the halfway mark in their season, the director of rugby must swell with pride when he thinks about what has been achieved in the time it has taken September's sun to be replaced with the drizzle of December.

Lying in third position in National One, eight points clear of their nearest rivals, within a game of Twickenham in the Powergen Shield and with a Powergen Cup quarter-final against the Premiership champions Wasps to come, the 46-year-old has turned his side into a semi-professional powerhouse.

The 2002/03 season started out just as promisingly with the thrashings of London Welsh, Moseley and an away shock at Orrell but when Worcester and Rotherham came calling they inflicted such damage that the Maynard Express, which had threatened to be a runaway, was derailed instead.

Luke Smith packed up his kitbag in a huff, injuries bit deep and what looked like a top-six finish in midwinter became eighth by the end of spring.

There was a tangible feeling of anti-climax. But not this year.

Worcester dropped in again last weekend and left with a win but without a bonus point and failed to dent the optimism that pervades Sharmans Cross Road. Proof of that came on Saturday when the manner of Bees' victory over a sporadically impressive Bedford confirmed the huge strides taken in the last 12 months.

The Blues forced them to defend for at least 60 of the 80 minutes and while the hosts' heads may have failed at times, their hearts never did.

There was always a spare body willing to make a sacrifice for his team-mates as the visitors battered away from minute 15 until minute 75 once Maynard's men established an early lead.

It was hugely impressive that they managed to cling on to their 12-point advantage, even more so that they embellished it late in the game to claim a bonus point.

But that is the way things are these days; to dampen this swarm you have to virtually kill them, which is the big difference from last season when they would often beat themselves.

"I was a bit concerned whether we could perform, having played so well last week, but we showed what kind of side we are today," said Maynard. "This result was important to us to cross the Rubicon and make sure that we bounced back after the Worcester result and maintain our drive for a top-five place.

"The lads stuck at the task well, they defended in an outstanding manner for the whole game, basically shutting Bedford down and we took our own chances when we got them.

"It was the first time those half-backs, Tom Richardson and Paul Knight, have played together and they did a great job but that is just indicative of this side and they way they pull for each other and just get on with the job.

"We are in a much stronger position this year than we were this time last year. We have got ourselves sorted out quite a lot off the park; on the park, you can see we have a small tight collective who pull together for each other.

"We have a tiny squad but I say it is like sawing logs, make them shorter and they get stronger. I like this bunch, I like the never-say-die attitude of the players; we have a lot going for us."

With a mini-tour of the South West to come over the next month, those qualities will be severely tested and the club's playing resources stretched as never before. Which is probably why Maynard chose to rest his top winger.

Already missing the suspended Hese Fakatou, his chief ball-carrying forward, and injured fly-half Craig Chalmers, Nick Baxter was given the opportunity to recharge his batteries with a place on the bench.

In the end, the former Worcester man's 70-minute absence was of little consequence because for most of the match Bees didn't have enough possession to utilise his skills.

After stand-in stand-off Knight and Richardson had both scurried across the Bedford line for tries in the opening quarter of an hour, it was another 60 minutes before B&S made it back into Blues' territory but when they finally did, they were ruthless in their execution.

Six minutes from the end, Rob Walton took a lineout and was part of the rolling maul that drove flanker Tom Jordan over for a well-deserved score.

The 24-year-old had been outstanding, producing a performance England World Cup winner Neil Back would have been proud of. Jordan tackled everything that moved until it didn't and stole so many balls the Old Bill must surely be looking for him.

Then, even though Lee Anker strolled round the home defence with indecent ease in the 78th minute, either Halley's Comet must have appeared early or else an ever rarer sighting came our way, as Ed Orgee snared a loose lineout throw-in and fell over the line for his first try of the season.

PERTEMPS BEES: Knight D; Takarangi (Baxter, 72), Woof (Hufanga, 72), Davies, Gregory (Nabaro, 45); Paul Knight, Richardson; Sigley (Tkachuk, 69), Hubbleday (Merritt, 69), Long, Walton, Orgee, Peter Knight, Jordan, Jenner.

Replacements: Fletcher, Gravil.

BEDFORD: Whetstone; Mansfield (Hinkins, 73), Kirk, Barnes, Anker (Lincoln, 75); Hepher A, Malone; Volland, Saffy (Ross 63), Brooks (Stewart 50), Quigley (Ball, 63), Brenton, Whit-ford, White, Hepher S. Replacements: Rainbow, Orugboh.

Referee: T Beddow (RFU).

 

Director of rugby Phil Maynard (pictured) said this week's training was deliberately tough as he tries to get the Bees focussed again after last week's 18-0 defeat to Worcester.

A rescheduled Sharmans Cross Road league clash against inconsistent Bedford offers just such an opportunity, despite Craig Chalmers, Hese Fakatou and Alex Davidson missing the game.

"It wasn't pretty," admitted Maynard. "Playing Worcester in a top of the table clash is all very well and good, but it's time to get back to reality in this division.

"Bedford is going to be a tough game because they can be very strong on their day." As usual Maynard has been forced to contend with a series of injuries in key areas.

Chalmers has been ruled out with a shoulder problem so Paul Knight has to move to fly half - Tom Richardson therefore makes his first league start at scrum-half.

There are problems in the pack too with Alex Davidson popping a rib last Saturday.

The recurring injury was sustained against Wakefield last month and it is likely to keep him out of action for two weeks. Rob Walton replaces Davidson.

The replacement bench offers Maynard slightly more hope, though, as he gets down to the bare bones of his squad.

Canadian international prop Kevin Tkachuk, signed this week, will feature "sooner rather than later" after impressing in training.

Another international, Tongan Suka Hufanga, also warms the bench, as does Bees stalwart Nick Baxter.

"Nick isn't used to being on the bench, but it shows what strength we've got on the wings," said Maynard. "He couldn't train on Thursday evening because of work commitments so Luke Nabaro's got a chance to impress."

PERTEMPS BEES: D Knight, Takarangi, Woof, Davies, Nabaro, Paul Knight, Richardson; Sigley, Hubbleday, Long, Walton, Orgee, Pete Knight, Jordan, Jenner. Replacements: Merritt, Fletcher, Tkachuk, Gravil, Baxter, Gregory, Hufanga.

 

 

Pertemps Bees lock Alex Davidson will miss the rearranged National League One game against Bedford Blues at Sharmans Cross Road on Saturday.

The former Wales U21 international popped a rib in last Saturday's defeat by Worcester and it is likely to keep him out for two months. Davidson's place in the second row is likely to be taken by Rob Walton, who replaced him against Worcester.

 

The Canadian international prop was signed this week by an impressed Bees director of rugby Phil Maynard, who hopes that the player could be involved immediately at Shar-mans Cross Road.

Tkachuk is hopeful, too, but he isn't taking anything for granted despite his international experience and forward strength.

"I have no idea whether I will be involved against Bedford," said Tkachuk, who has won 24 caps for Canada.

"That's up to the coaching team and I won't know until tonight's training - but I came here to play and that's what I want to do."

Tkachuk is preparing hard for a potential debut on Saturday - he and his Oxford University team-mates are providing opposition for the New Zealand Barbarians ahead of their game against England.

The 27-year-old featured in this month's Varsity game at Twickenham in Oxford colours, where he is studying for a masters in English local history.

But after coming back from the World Cup where he made four appearances, he now wants to make it at domestic level.

"I've wanted to play league rugby and a club with the quality of the Bees is a perfect position for me," said Tkachuk. "I'm an 'import', which is sometimes a problem, but the Bees can find room for me and hopefully I can do a job for them.

"They're a club that are on the up, which is better than being brought in to help turn around a struggling side. It's always nice to play winning rugby."

The 19-stone loose head prop will pressure Matt Long (pictured), Andy Gravil and (if fit) Terry Sigley for a place in the front row.

Tkachuk is now one of four members of the Bees squad - after Craig Chalmers, Hese Fakatou and Suka Hufanga - to have World Cup experience.

Meanwhile, Maynard will wait until after Christmas to formalise the contract extension offered to him by the Bees this week.

There is little chance of Maynard turning down the new deal which would run until summer 2006, but he said: "I'm flattered that they've offered me it but there's plenty of time to sort that out."

*Bees' former Tonga international back-row forward Hese Fakatou was suspended for five weeks when he appeared before an RFU disciplinary panel last night.

Fakatou was found guilty of striking an opponent during the National League One game at London Welsh on November 22. He was charged after being cited by the opponents.

 

The 27-year-old follows Maple Leaf rugby legend Al Charron into Birmingham after linking up with Phil Maynards men until the end of the season and he is aware of the countrymen who have gone before him.

Charron wore Moseleys red for just over a season six years ago in a career that included more than 70 caps, four World Cup competitions and international acclaim as a model professional.

In that time he became a firm favourite with The Reddings faithful and Tkachuk, who is currently studying a Masters degree in History at Oxford University, knows even though Charron has called it a day, he can still take a leaf out of the great mans book.

If I am one-eighth as successful as Al as a person and on the pitch then I will be delighted. He is a Canadian and rugby icon, he said.

I have not signed on the dotted line yet but it is pretty much a done deal. I trained with the squad on Tuesday and I was happy with the way it went in terms of the level and intensity of the session. It is not hard to tell why these guys are third in the league the way they train.

The skill level was quite good and the backline especially has a lot of ball-players who are strong runners and I am really looking forward to playing with them.

Whether the Saskatchewan man gets that opportunity on Saturday remains to be seen following the recovery of Terry Sigley who has shaken off a knee injury sustained in the defeat against Worcester.

That leaves Tkachuk, who 24 caps and played in all four of Canadas games at the recent Rugby World Cup, competing for the No 3 shirt with Matt Long and Andy Gravil.

 

Tkachuk, who won the last four of his 24 international caps in the World Cup, trained with the Bees last night and, provided the necessary paperwork can be completed in time, he could come straight into their squad for Saturdays rearranged National One game against Bedford at Sharmans Cross Road.

The Bees attempted to sign the 27-year-old a month ago but Tkachuks commitments at Oxford University prevented him playing club rugby. Having won his third blue in last weeks drawn Varsity Match at Twickenham, Tkachuk is now available for the rest of the season.

Tkachuk impressed Phil Maynard, the Bees director of rugby, in last months annual fixture between Oxford and Major Stanleys XV at Iffley Road. Maynard was coach of the Stanleys side and Tkachuk starred as Oxford inflicted a record defeat on the invitation side.

He looked a good ball carrier that evening and I tried to sign him when we lost three props after the Wakefield cup game, Maynard said.

Hes now free to play club rugby for the rest of the season and we think that he will bring some experience to our embattled front row.

Hes been exposed to the game at the very highest level, hes a a big strong boy and were keen to get him on board.

Tkachuk, 19 stones and 6ft tall, has played most of his club rugby in Canada and lists gridiron football and wrestling among his other sporting accomplishments.

Tkachuks likely arrival at the Bees is timely because Terry Sigley twisted a knee in last Saturdays defeat by Worcester and he is expected to join his brother Rob (back) and a third prop, Jim Thorp (shoulder), on the list of absentees for Bedfords visit.

 

The former Worcester and Stourbridge coach is in his second season in charge at Pertemps Bees and, having guided them into the quarter-finals of the Powergen Cup for the first time, the club's directors are keen to retain his services.

"Phil has done a marvelous job in his two seasons at the club and we are keen to build on the wonderful success we have enjoyed under him," said Steve Blundell, the Pertemps Bees chairman. We have reached the last eight of the Powergen Cup, we are also in the semi-finals of the Powergen Challenge Shield, we currently occupy our highest ever league position and we are enjoying a high profile nationally.

"We have already opened negotiations with Phil about his extending his initial contract until 2005 and we hope to conclude those negotiations before Christmas."

Maynard, who played as a flanker for Birmingham, began his coaching career with Kings Norton before he joined Worcester in 1993.

Worcester won three league titles during his seven years as their coach before he joined Stourbridge as director of rugby and guided them to the National Three North title in his first season in charge.

 

 

 

BEES produced arguably their best 40 minutes of the season to overwhelm Wakefield at College Grove.

Leading by only a penalty at half time they stepped up a gear after the break to add five tries to their tally of two from the opening period.

The visitors made the early incursion as the pack did the spadework for centre Mike Davies to score.

Wakefield's response was a try from Andy Brown and kicker Warren Spragg converted having previously missed two opportunities to embarrass Bees further.

But a try from Craig Chalmers which he converted himself put Pertemps back in front before a Wakefield counter attack gave Nick Wainwright the chance to grab a second score for the hosts.

With Chalmers receiving treatment, Paul Knight kicked a vital penalty to grab the half time advantage and from that point on they never looked back.

Three quick tries around the hour mark effectively killed off the Yorkshiremen.

Geoff Gregory squeezed in for the first on 56 minutes, Shaun Woof added a second four minutes later after a charge down and replacement Luke Nabaro's first task was to touch down for a third moments later.

Though Jon Feeley skipped past Nabaro ten minutes from time for a consolation, scrum half Tom Richardson was on hand to score two late tries and underline Bees' second-half superiority.

 

 

 

 

Brain this week suggested the Bees would happily finish 12th in National League as long as they beat local rivals Worcester.

And former Worcester coach Maynard - one of 10 ex-Sixways men in the Bees' coaching and playing staff --is more than happy to stoke up the fire further in the run-up to Saturday's game.

"I think Worcester take themselves too seriously," said Maynard.

"They're not the most popular team in the country, and it's probably because of comments like that.

"But when you compare our two playing budgets I suppose we should be flattered they're paying us so much attention.

"On paper it should be a walkover." The director of rugby continued: "John Brain also said he's relishing coming over to play us --anybody who relishes coming to a place like Sharmans Cross Road needs their head examined!"

Like Jim Jenner, Craig Chalmers and the others who have joined the Bees from the Warriors, Maynard can't wait for the challenge of taking on the champions-elect.

"We're looking forward to it," he said. "Not just because of the Worcester links --although with their transfer policy every club has got an ex-Worcester player or two --but also because they're the best side in the league.

"Worcester have had a much more pragmatic approach this season, and (club owner) Cecil Duckworth has finally listened to reason and realised it helps if you don't sack your coach every season."

Pertemps Bees want to come out of tomorrow's trip to Wakefield with the points - but also be left in better shape than after their last game against the Yorkshire club.

The Bees and Wakefield met in the Powergen Cup sixth round last month, and while the Birmingham side ran out 17-10 winners they lost three forwards in the process in a bruising battle at Sharmans Cross Road.

Of those casualties, Ed Orgee and Alex Davidson are back off the treatment table for the College Grove re-match, although Andy Gravil is still out as part of a lengthy injury list for director of rugby Phil Maynard.

Maynard is hoping to be able to start with former Scottish international Craig Chalmers, though, after spending much of this week contemplating the prospect of having both his specialist fly-halves out injured.

Chalmers' back strain does not look as serious as Mark Woodrow's broken hand, however, and he should be fit.

If Davidson also passes a fitness test, Maynard can be a little more confident about his chances of following up last weekend's stuttering win over Manchester.

The other reminders of the club's injury jinx come in the back-row, where Tom Jordan is still in for rib doubt Nathan Carter, and the front row where young Richard Culley is the only cover for Matt Long and Terry Sigley.

"We came out of the first game against Wakefield pretty badly, but it affected them just as badly as it did us," said Maynard.

"I don't think they've won a game since then but it's still going to be tough. Wakefield are a very physical side and, while I'd back my boys to do a job, I wouldn't be over confident."

The Bees have lost their previous two away games, at Orrell and, less excusably, against London Welsh.

But the mood within the team is that for all their physical strength, Wakefield are a side the Bees should be able to dispatch if they play close to their best.

Maynard has also given Duncan White and Alan Hubbleday rare starts after their impressive displays coming off the bench, at the expense of Jim Jenner and Rob Merritt respectively.

"Duncan seems to score a try every time he comes on as a replacement, while Alan has really been champing at the bit in training this week," said Maynard.

"They've both been involved in nearly every game this season so it's not a risk, but they've earned their starting places."

BEES: D Knight, Gregory, Woof, Davies, Baxter, Chalmers, P Knight; Sigley, Hubbleday, Long, Davidson, Orgee, Fakatou, Jordan, White. Replacements: Merritt, Culley, Jenner, Walton, Richardson, Nabaro, Hafanga.

 

PERTEMPS Bees boss Phil Maynard believes his club may have to move away from Solihull because of the apathy shown towards his team.

Maynard used their high profile Powergen Cup draw against Wasps to launch a scathing attack on the Solihull public and highlight the lack of support his high-flying side are getting.

Despite going into last Saturday's game against Manchester lying in third place in Division One and with the draw for the last eight the following day, just a few hundred fans turned up to support the Sharmans Cross Road team.

Maynard said: "I don't know what we have got to do to get people here. We are flying the flag for midlands rugby but we are still not getting people along to give us a shout.

"Maybe we need to move out and find some support from elsewhere. We have been trying to go out to schools and clubs, but it just doesn't seem to be working."

"We are among the top 15 clubs in the country, in the last eight of the top cup competition and just a game away from playing at Twickenham in the Powergen Shield, but it seems I am more excited about it than the population of Solihull."

Compared to less successful teams in national division one such as Coventry, London Welsh and Bristol, who all regularly attract attendances of more than 1,000, Bees are lucky to get half that number.

And in a personal appeal to all local sports fans Maynard added: "You have got top level sport on your doorstep. Come down and see what we are doing, and compare the levels of commitment here to those in more high profile sports."

Tomorrow (Saturday) Bees travel to Wakefield (kick off 2.30pm) who will be keen to avenge the 5th round Powergen Cup defeat they suffered four weeks ago.

VICTORY for Pertemps Bees in their sixth round Powergen Cup match at Premiership high-flyers Wasps, would be an amazing achievement admits team boss Phil Maynard.

Professional outfit Wasps are currently second only to Bath in the national standings, and boast four members of England's World Cup-winning squad, Laurence Dallaglio, Stuart Abbott, Simon Shaw and Joe Worsley.

Speaking earlier this week the Bees' coach said: "We have worked hard to get to this position but you would have to put Wasps down as extremely firm favourites.

"It would be a tremendous upset if we won, but stranger things have happened in sport.

"We will be looking forward to it, it is a great opportunity to show what we can do.

And Bees have got the added bonus of knowing that, should they lose, they will still have an opportunity to play at Twickenham, having been drawn at home to Wakefield in the semi-final of the Powergen Shield.

The competition, now in its third season, was introduced to give non-Premiership clubs who reach the last 16 of the Powergen Cup another route to a Twickenham final.

Full Powergen Cup quarter final draw: Leeds Tykes v Bath Newcastle Falcons v London Irish London Wasps v Birmingham Solihull Sale Sharks v Saracens Ties to be played on the weekend of 28/29th February.

Semi Final Draw: Newcastle Falcons/London Irish v London Wasps/Birmingham Solihull

Sale Sharks/Saracens v Leeds Tykes/Bath

Pertemps Bees 39 Manchester 12

BEES enjoyed a comfortable win without ever having to be at their best against basement boys Manchester at Sharman's Cross Road on Saturday.

But although the performance was patchy the result was all-important, particularly after injuries forced coach Phil Maynard to shuffle his pack. Ed Orgee and Rob Walton both played only after passing late fitness tests, while Richard Culley made his debut at prop and Tom Jordan replaced injured flanker Nathan Carter.

It was not surprising, then, that Bees spent much of the game ensuring they didn't become involved in a battle of the forwards, sensibly spreading the play at every available opportunity.

And as Manchester simply could not handle the pace, power and guile of the home backs, once Bees stuck to this plan, the result was never in doubt.

However, for much of the first half the game hung in the balance - a converted try from short range by Manchester's number eight, Tim Cowley after 19 minutes equalising Shaun Woof's intercepted effort 12 minutes earlier.

Cowley's effort seemed to be the wake up call Bees needed, and they went on the attack from the drop out, Mark Woodrow's clever reverse pass putting in winger Nick Baxter for his first of two tries.

Woodrow then stepped up to score the simple conversion, added two penalties before half time and although he failed to improve Geoff Gregory's touch down on 61 minutes, by then the game was effectively over.

Despite a brief rally from Manchester - hooker Michael Armstrong crashed over with eight minutes left - Bees confirmed their superiority with two tries in the dying minutes, the first from man-of-the-match Baxter, the second from replacement flanker Duncan White, both converted by Woodrow.

THERE'S a crisis at number ten this week but it's got nothing to do with Tony Blair, rebellious MPs or controversial policies.

More importantly, certainly in Phil Maynard's mind anyway, the problem is at fly-half and specifically who will fill that shirt against Wakefield tomorrow.

Mark Woodrow, who put the Bees back on the right track against Manchester last week, is in plaster after

breaking a hand against the boys from the basement and will have three weeks to get his Christmas shopping done.

The other option, former British Lion Craig Chalmers, is currently trying to convince his aged back that it's strong enough to face the York-shiremen but if the Scot can't step in for his latest appearance in a stop-start season that spells trouble.

Maynard's only option would be to move scrum-half Paul Knight out one but that isn't something he'd want to do. Not because Knight isn't a very good player, he filled in for half of last season when Luke Smith sulked off, but because he's so valuable at nine. But if he has to winger Tom Richardson will come into scrum-half.

Tomorrow's match will be the second of four meetings between the two sides, two league encounters and two cup clashes, and will be extremely testing for the patched up Solihull side.

Wakefield have traditionally been strong up front, a fact which must send shudders through Maynard given his current selectoral plight.

It would be easy to make a case for both a defeat and a victory for Bees with the conditions playing a huge part. If it rains quite simply you'd favour Wakefield. If not Bees. Putting your hopes in the British weather, now that's what I call a crisis.

 

PHIL Maynard praised his side for bouncing back to winning ways against National One basement boys Manchester last Saturday.

Although it took the hosts almost an hour to finally dismiss a side that has won just once all season the director of rugby was taking into account the context of a difficult match.

"By the end it was a good grafting performance. We were struggling for form and and that combined with our injury situation made it hard for us," he said.

Bees had been without a league win for month after defeats at Orrell and London Welsh and took to the field with just one of their pool of four props available.

"If that is the side that is bottom of the league then this division is tougher than it ever has been," he said.

Centre Shaun Woof snared a loose pass for an early interception try and speedy Nick Baxter took a clever reverse pass from fly-half Mark Woodrow over the visitors' line. That aside they had to rely on their stand-off's boot to turn pressure into points and ensure Tim Cowley's 14th minute try did not inconvenience them too greatly.

By the time winger Geoff Gregory and Manchester hooker Michael Armstrong had traded tries the gap was 13 - comfortable but not convincing, only for Baxter and Duncan White to twist the knife. When you're down at the bottom things go that way.

 

 

The Bees, formerly Birmingham and Solihull, are the only non-Premiership club left in the competition and were handed a daunting trip to Wasps in draw.

"We are disappointed we didn't get a home draw because we would have fancied our chances against any Premiership side at our place," Maynard said.

"But it's a great chance for us to give the club a national profile and to put rugby in Birmingham and in National One on the map.

"It's a huge challenge for a team of part-timers to take on the Premiership champions and a side with stars like Lawrence Dallaglio and Josh Lewsey in it.

"But we have our own aspirations to play in the Premiership one day and these are the sorts of challenges we have to meet if we are going to get there."

Powergen Cup Quarter-final draw
Leeds v Bath
Newcastle v London Irish
Wasps v Pertemps Bees
Sale v Saracens

Ties to be played over the weekend of the 28th and 29th of February.

Semi Final Draw
Newcastle/London Irish v Wasps/Pertemps Bees
Sale/Saracens v Leeds/Bath

Ties to be played over the weekend of 13th and 14th of March.

 

Director of rugby Maynard was forced to call off full-contact training on Tuesday night for fear of losing any more players.

And the uncertainty surrounding so many Bees players delayed his team selection for the visit of the National One strugglers until this morning.

The back line is still relatively strong and Tongan World Cup centre Suka Hufanga goes straight into the squad as a replacement after joining on a month's trial.

But the pack is a completely different story with several players struggling for the Sharmans Cross Road clash.

Normally tomorrow's game would be one of the Bees' easiest of the season, but the current mood makes the result less certain.

"I don't want to sound like I'm moaning but we've only got one 100 per cent fit lock, and we've had several other players on the treatment table this week," said Maynard.

"We had to call off Tuesday night training for the sake of the squad and just have a 'chalk and talk' session.

"There are players who could cover for the injured men but it's not an ideal situation at all. As a completely part-time side, it's really tough for us and I sometimes think we have to work twice as hard to stay in touch and it's asking a lot of the players."

The Bees pack picked itself on the grounds of fitness.

Skipper Ed Orgee passed a late fitness test to start alongside another recuperating man Rob Walton, while Tom Jordan replaces the injured Nathan Carter at flanker.

In the front row former Moseley duo Terry Sigley and Matt Long again start in the absence of three recognised props.

And Geoff Gregory returns on the wing in place of Luke Nabaro.

BEES: D Knight, Gregory, Woof, Davies, Baxter, Woodrow, P Knight; Sigley, Merritt, Long, Orgee, Walton, Fakatou, Jordan, Jenner. Replacements: Culley, Hubbleday, White, Davidson, Hufanga, Richardson, Nabaro.

 

 

After six straight wins they had been sitting pretty at the top of the table but two league defeats have made November a miserable month for Phil Maynard's men.

Apart from the momentous Powergen Cup victory against Wakefield, Bees have been hit by injuries and lost their 100 per cent record at Orrell before failing to register a score in a 16-0 defeat at London Welsh last Saturday.

Speaking after last Saturday's game, prop Terry Sigley said: "We played badly today. It was a come-down after the Powergen Cup victory against Wakefield. Losing is always a come down, but today's performance made it especially hard to take."

"But now we are looking forward to playing Manchester. It is a big game."

They would be well advised not to underestimate the men from Grove Park who won their first game of the season last Saturday - a 34-14 win against Penzance/Newlyn.

Although the Sharman's Cross Road side now stand third in the table, injury problems have hit them hard, with their pack's resources particularly stretched.

Flanker Nathan Carter and lock Alex Davidson are both likely to miss the game with rib injuries sustained in the Welsh game.

Three prop forwards - Rob Sigley, Jim Thorp and Andy Gravil - have already been ruled out because of injury and influential captain and second row Ed Orgee is still struggling with a bruised hip while full-back and leading try scorer Dave Knight has a groin strain but is expected to recover in time to play

Bees have also recalled flanker Tom Jordan from a loan spell with Midlands rivals Stourbridge.

It follows the decision last week to recall Neil Fletcher from a loan spell at Manchester due to Orgee's injury.

Jordan joined Stourbridge on a match-by-match arrangement last month but he has been brought back because of mounting injury problems.

 

Tonga'S World Cup Centre Sukanaivalu Hufanga Has Joined Pertemps Bees On A Month'S Trial.

Tonga's world cup centre sukanaivalu hufanga has joined pertemps bees on a month's trial. The 22-year-old, who won three of his four caps during the World Cup, is a friend of Hese Fakatou, the Pertemps Bees' flanker, and is staying with him during his month in the West Midlands. Phil Maynard, the Pertemps Bees' director of rugby, hopes to get 22-year-old Hufanga, known as 'Suka', registered in time for him to take his place in the squad for the National League One game against Manchester at Sharmans Cross Road tomorrow. "We're just having a look at Suka but he impressed me in a couple of World Cup games I watched on TV," said Maynard. "I asked Hese Fakatou if he knew him and when he said that he was a neighbour of his back home, he set the wheels in motion to bring him over here. We will decide at the end of the trial period whether to keep Suka on."

 

 

 

And in this sense, an injury-hit Bees playing at a sodden Old Deer Park, certainly lived up to expectations.

However, by all other standards this was a thoroughly disappointing performance against mediocre opponents, as Bees not only failed to score, but seem-ingly forgot their pre-match game plan as they adapted poorly to testing conditions.

Throughout a match played in heavy rain, Bees attempted to run the ball from deep in their half - a policy which, combined with the Exiles' maximum use of the high ball, only succeeded in putting them under under serious pressure.

While this adventure would have been applauded had it worked, it simply left perplexed coach Phil Maynard ruing the lack of resources at Sharman's Cross Road.

He said: "The plan was to play behind their ten metre line, and the players and myself had all agreed that before the game. "But on the day we seemed to start playing catch-up rugby after ten minutes, while they just kept kicking it deep into our territory."

"It was a very disappointing result. We had a few injuries that weakened the whole structure of the side. "Alex Davidson shouldn't have started the game and we were missing Ed Orgee, so we were under constant pressure and fear of injuries, which didn't help.

"The problem is we have got such a small squad. Until Friday we didn't have a front row replacement.

"Look at Coventry. They might have changed their season around this week by signing two internationals and beating Bedford, but unfortunately we can't do that. "Having said that, we struggled to put phases together and we have got to get back to the way we were playing at the start of the season."

In fairness to Maynard's men, the game, which was played at a furious pace, was only put completely out of their reach with six minutes of normal time left.

At that point, referee Sean Davey awarded a penalty try after judging that Rob Walton's somewhat clumsy efforts to stop a break by scrum-half Harvey Biljon constituted a deliberate attempt to prevent a certain try.

With Seb Fitzgerald's conversion that made the score 16-0, but until then there had been little to separate the teams.

Although Bees had gone in at half-time 6-0 down, it could have been so different. Fy-half Mark Woodrow had missed two kickable penalties, while Fitzgerald had taken the few chances presented to him, slotting home a drop goal and a penalty.

And despite shading the territorial advantage in the second half Bees were unable to break through a committed Welsh defence, inspired by man-of the-match lock Tim Collier, whose yellow card in the last minute of the game for deliberately slowing down an attack, led to six minutes of injury time pressure from the visitors.

Yet despite all their huffing and puffing, Bees were unable to get a deserved score.

Next week they play host to bottom-of-the-table Manchester next week, fresh from their first league win of the season - a 34 -point romp against Penzance/Newlyn. If Bees don't improve on this, a defeat and the end of all their early season optimism await.

LONDON WELSH: D Pugh, R Greenslade-Jones, A Bidwell, S Ravenscroft, J Swords (rep: J Strong, 71), S Fitzgerald, H Biljon, S Millard, G Botterman (C Ritchie, 67), L Ward, T Collier, D Ramsey, M Anayi, P Mansfield (F Rossigneux, 67), M Fitzgerald (A Johnson, 80). Replacements: A Fahey, D Connolly, M Vines.

PERTEMPS BEES: D Knight, L Nabaro (G Gregory, 71), S Woof, M Davies, A Takarangi, M Woodrow, P Knight, T Sigley, R Merritt (A Hubbleday, 54), M Long, R Walton, A Davidson (D White, 50), H Fakatou, N Carter, J Jenner. Replacements: R Culley, N Fletcher, N Bressington, T Richardson.

Referee: S Davey (RFU).

 

Captain Ed Orgee, Jim Thorp and Andy Gravil are all out of the Old Deer Park clash, leaving director of rugby Phil Maynard with selection headaches and Bees with their work cut out to maintain their fine league record.

London Welsh are a very good all-round side and in Adrian Davies theyve got an excellent coach, said Maynard. Anybody that doesnt take them seriously is a fool.

Winger Nick Baxter returns after being rested last week against Wakefield, while Luke Nabaro has earned a right wing berth ahead of Aaron Takarangi and Geoff Gregory, and fly-half Mark Woodrow has been preferred to Craig Chalmers.

Newly-signed prop Richard Culley should be available to take the bench after release papers were obtained from the New Zealand club he was playing for -but Maynard bemoaned the trouble he had bringing in a forward on loan.

It just seems to be a bad time of the season with the World Cup and players out injured, said Maynard. Then again, maybe clubs are seeing how well were doing and dont want to help us too much!

Unusually, the Bees will travel to the capital tonight and stay overnight in a hotel so that they can watch the World Cup final tomorrow morning.

 

Two years ago, while he was at Stourbridge, Maynard broke an ankle and although the break was set it did not do so properly. And this week at training, the joint packed in again. Driving a car is an agony; running around the training paddock an impossibility.

I think I need an operation, Maynard said. ASAP.

The squad that he manages is pretty beaten up, too, and the club captain, Ed Orgee, will be missing for the first time in two years when the Bees play London Welsh at Old Deer Park tomorrow.

But there is some good news. Maynard, bewailing the loss of his two best front-row forwards, has had a telephone call from the father of a young player, Richard Culley, who has been at Northamptons academy and is looking for a club.

And Culleys position? Front row. With a pedigree. Culley has been capped for England Under-18, Under-19 and, in order to further his chances of a cap at the next level, the 20-year-old has sought experience at English First Division level. He has already served part of his apprenticeship with Waikato in New Zealand.

Pennies from Heaven, said a gleeful Maynard as he rushed off a registration form in the hope of getting Culley on to the bench at Old Deer Park.

Perhaps the Bees most valuable benchman is lock Rob Walton but he starts this week as replacement for Orgee. Neil Fletcher, recalled from Manchester, is on the touchline in reserve.

And considering their exhaustive season to date, Bees will not go to London Welsh as a ragged army. They are travelling down tonight so that the squad can watch the World Cup final at their hotel in the morning and they remain in confident mood.

Maynard said: The Welsh are having a mixed season but theyve had some good results. They will isolate this match as one they can win.

But we know how they play and if were diligent enough, well cope with them.

Mark Woodrow keeps his place at fly-half and the back row will play together for the eighth game in a row.

 

Culley, who was released by Northampton Saints last season, has just returned from a stint playing club rugby in New Zealand. He arrived at Sharmans Cross Road for training last week and could now be thrust into the squad for London

Welsh because of the Pertemps Bees' injury problems.

Pertemps Bees have been reduced to just two fit props because of injuries to Jim Thorp (shoulder), Andy Gravil (broken wrist) and Rob Sigley (back) and their attempts to make a loan signing from a Premiership club have so far come to nothing.

The complicating factor with Culley is that Bees need to obtain release papers from New Zealand before they can register him. Attempts are being made to get clearance authorities to allow Culley to be registered with the RFU in the next 24 hours.

Pertemps Bees 17 Wakefield 10

AN historic day at Sharmans Cross Road saw Bees through to the quarter finals of the Powergen Cup.

It is the first time they have reached the last eight stage of the competition since the club was formed in 1989 by the merger of Birmingham and Solihull.

With an almost certain tie against a Premiership outfit at stake Bees were not about to slip up and were keen to make up for their first defeat of the season at Orrell a week earlier.

Eager to stamp their authority on Wakefield, Bees piled on the pressure in the opening ten minutes and despite losing skipper Ed Orgee to a hip injury were always in command.

Mark Woodrow, who was inspirational at fly half, had a score ruled out for crossing but they did not have long to wait for the opening score.

On 27 minutes Woodrow found Geoff Gregory on the charge and the left wing beat two tackles to touch down.

Wakefield rallied briefly with a Peter Murphy penalty but almost straight away they allowed Shaun Woof to break through half hearted tackles only to run straight back into trouble.

Then on 34 minutes Woodrow freed Dave Knight and he tore down the left wing to score, Woodrow this time successful with the extras.

Luke Nabaro, on for the dazed Gregory, scored on the overlap to put the tie beyond the visitors' reach.

And though Yorkshireman scored a consolation try in injury time through Rob Hunt, Murphy converting, it could not take the shine of a memorable days for the hosts.

The draw for the quarter finals is live on BBC's Grandstand programme a week on Sunday.

 

Lying third in National One Phil Maynard's side would normally go into the match as favourites but a crippling injury list, particularly in the front five, has thrown doubt over that status.

Injuries to props Jim Thorp (shoulder) Andy Gravil (wrist) and Rob Sigley (back) are compounded by the absence of captain Ed Orgee and fellow second row Alex Davidson.

"We have only got two fit props so we have been trying to get round a few Premiership clubs to see if they will lend us a player but a lot of their players are out at the World Cup. That could mean playing someone out of position," said the director of rugby.

The former Worcester coach is not giving up hopes of avenging last season's 30-25 defeat against the Exiles in what was one of the most disappointing trips his side made that year.

"We like to think we can win anywhere in this division and this match will be a good indication of how good the squad is.

"We are going to have to play without our skipper for the first time in two years which will be a test for us," he added.

That will mean scrum half Paul Knight will lead and if there is a case to be made for why Bees should win it comes with the players outside the inspirational number nine.

Maynard has built up one of the most incisive back cordons in National One and any two of the four wingers he has are good enough to finish off the Welsh.

 

Pertemps Bees 17, Wakefield 10

PHIL Maynard's men marched into the quarter-finals of the Powergen Cup for the first time in their history last Saturday with a comprehensive victory over Wakefield.

And now they're in the last eight the director of rugby will be hoping to emulate Little Jack Horner - who stuck in his thumb and pulled out a plum --when the draw is made later this month.

He can't fail really as every other side left in the country's premier domestic knockout competition occupies a place in the Zurich Premiership. Any one of the remaining seven would do as long as the tie is played at Sharmans Cross Road.

"I don't mind who we get providing it's at home," said Maynard.

"Five years ago when I was with Worcester and we were in division three we beat Bristol. Who's to say it couldn't happen again?"

If lightning is to strike twice his current charges will need to be more ruthless than they were against Wakefield.

The ease with which they dispatched the Yorkshiremen was not reflected in the scoreline although the visitors padded their total with a late try.

Pertemps Bees are looking to Terry Sigley and Alex Davidson to fill the hole created by the exertions of this season's Cup success.

The club have lost captain Ed Orgee and Jim Thorp, two of their natural pack leaders, through injury in their progress to the Powergen Cup quarter-finals.

But their absences mean that lock Davidson and prop Sigley will need to continue their impressive starts to the season.

While the back-row trio of Jim Jenner, Hese Fakatou and Neil Carter have been predictably impressive the younger pair have contributed heavily to the sides forward dominance this season.

And the Bees smaller than average National One squad will be tested in forthcoming games against sides who have enjoyed more free weekends.

Sigley, the England Counties prop, and former former Leicester lock Davidson have both been prone to indiscipline in a Bees shirt - but director of rugby Phil Maynard has pinpointed both men as key performers this season.

Davidson sustained bruised ribs in Saturdays 17-10 win against Wakefield but he is expected to be fit to face London Welsh.

But Neil Fletcher will rejoin the squad after Maynard ended his match-by-match loan spell with Manchester.

The second-row is likely to go straight on to the bench against London Welsh at Old Deer Park on Saturday.

The club were already suffering from a long-term shoulder injury to Thorp and two-week absence for tighthead prop Andy Gravil with a fractured wrist - but they have now learnt that Rob Sigley will be out for one to two months, meaning a loan signing is a priority.

 

Pertemps Bees despatched Wakefield in effective fashion to book a quarter-final spot in the Powergen Cup for the first time.

Two years after a spirited sixth-round defeat to top-flight Northampton, the Bees went one better after 80 minutes of near-total dominance.

The club will know by the end of this month which Premiership outfit they will rub shoulders with in the last eight.

On Saturday they proved again that they can look a class apart from most of the sides in National League One.

Phil Maynard's team did the double over Wakefield last season and never seemed unduly troubled here - to the extent that the seven-point winning margin bore little resemblance to the balance of the game.

It was the Bees, captained by Dave Knight after they lost Ed Orgee minutes into the game, who pressed for tries in the closing minutes.

But Wakefield grabbed a consolation try with the last action of the game, although it took little of the shine off the home side's display.

In front of the usual handful of spectators at Sharmans Cross Road - the unlikeliest of potential venues for a Powergen Cup quarter-final - the Bees dominated both up front and, particularly, when they spread the ball wide.

Those creative forays were rare in the opening stages, largely because fly-half Mark Woodrow was making such an impact with his long raking kicks behind the defence.

He kept Wakefield penned in their own 22 and the inventive stand-off, preferred to Craig Chalmers, also had some success with the ball in hand.

Woodrow was unlucky to have a 12th-minute try ruled out for crossing but 15 minutes later he had more success as a provider.

Geoff Gregory, in for Nick Baxter, took his pass before skirting the right touchline to score the opening try.

Wakefield's Pete Murphy kicked a penalty to keep the visitors in touch but further Bees' pressure left a hole in the defensive line for Knight to touch down and make it 12-3 after 34 minutes.

The score remained unchanged for 25 minutes either side of the break although Wakefield were far happier for the lack of scoring opportunities.

The Bees back row were as impressive as ever, with Nathan Carter and Hese Fakatou providing mobile and energetic support for Jim Jenner.

The Bees' third try came after several phases of play had pushed Wakefield right back on their own line.

Speedy replacement winger Luke Nabaro took the try although any one of several players - including Aaron Takarangi who was unlucky not to register on the scoresheet - could have had the final touch.

If Knight's side can come in for any criticism, it is that they did not kill off the visiting Yorkshiremen's challenge more emphatically.

Shaun Woof cracked open the defence after 65 minutes but fell a few yards short while Nabaro had opportunities to add a second try and - as in the case of Woodrow and replacement lock Rob Walton - press his claims for a permanent place.

However, with 80 minutes gone, Wakefield winger Rob Hunt fed off a counter-attack by Ryan Duckett to score under the posts.

The importance of Murphy's successful conversion was drowned out by the final whistle and the start of the Bees' victory celebrations.

 

Pertemps Bees face the biggest single 80 minutes in their history tomorrow when they take on Wakefield in the sixth round of the Powergen Cup.

A win will see Phil Maynard's side through to the last eight of the competition for their first time since Birmingham & Solihull were formed in 1989.

And after three previous failures at this stage in the last four years, a positive result would set up a clash against a Premiership giant - a game as important for the clubs rising reputation as their finances.

Reaching the quarter-finals would be a huge boost, not just for this club but for rugby in Birmingham, said director of rugby Maynard.

The place would give ourselves the chance to test ourselves against Premiership opposition - just as importantly it would give us national prominence and the chance to raise the profile of rugby in Birmingham.

Second row Ed Orgee led the Bees twice to victory over Wakefield last season but his side will be tested to the full.

Wakefield, however, will display far more effort than that on show in the last round against an under-strength and under-motivated Worcester side.

A game between ourselves and Worcester would have been great for rugby in the area and guaranteed a full house, added Maynard.

Their exit has cost us money because we know that we wont get anywhere near as big a crowd for Wakefield but its probably made our task more difficult.

Wakefield also have the incentive of a place in the quarter-finals, they are going well this season and this will be a very tough game for us.

Maynard was expected to give Mark Woodrow a start in the key position of fly-half, meaning that Craig Chalmers must return to the bench.

The other major change was in the second row where the lofty Rob Walton gets the chance to cement a first team slot ahead of Alex Davidson.

BEES (possible): D Knight, Takarangi, Woof, Davies, Baxter, Woodrow, P Knight; Sigley, Merritt, Long, Walton, Orgee, Fakatou, Carter, Jenner. Replacements: Hubbleday, Gravil, White, Paul Knight, Richardson, Chalmers, Nabaro.

 

 

 

 

BEES go into tomorrow's Powergen Cup clash with Wakefield knowing a win will almost certainly earn them a lucrative tie against Zurich Premiership opposition.

But even more importantly it will attract national attention to the Sharmans Cross miracle Phil Maynard has been working and put local rugby back on the map.

Bees have reached the last 16 for the second time in three seasons but no West Midlands club has reached the quarterfinals since the Bees' city rivals Moseley ten years ago.

"Reaching the quarter-finals would be a huge boost, not just for this club, but for rugby in Birmingham," Maynard said.

"It is a battle to promote rugby in Birmingham because there are so many football clubs in the city. But people are starting to take notice of the strides we have made.

"We are close to submitting plans to develop our second ground at Portway into a stadium capable of staging Premiership rugby and a place in the quarter-finals would give us the chance to test against Premiership opposition."

Before Maynard can think about playing a Premiership side he has Wakefield to contend with and that, he accepts, will not be an easy task.

Wakefield lost narrowly, 23-20, on their last visit to Sharmans Cross Road in a league game last season but they booked their place in the sixth round by inflicting a first defeat on Worcester this season.

"I was disappointed that Worcester fielded a weakened side at Wakefield," said Maynard, "and to read the comments of John Brain, their director of rugby, that they didn't really want to play us before we meet in the league next month," Maynard said.

"Wakefield also have the incentive of a place in the quarter-finals, they are going well this season and this will be a very tough game for us."

The Bees surrendered their unbeaten record at Orrell last Saturday and will be without former Rotherham and Sale prop Jim Thorp who is still sidelined with a shoulder problem but hope to welcome back centre Mike Davies.

 

THE mouth-watering prospect of a Premierhsip club coming to Sharmans Cross Road is up for grabs tomorrow for Pertemps Bees.

Victory over their national one rivals Wakefield - and they start as very warm favourites --will mean a place in the last eight of the Powergen Cup for the first time in the Solihullbased club's history.

No West Midlands club has reached the quarter-finals since the Bees' city rivals Moseley ten years ago and director of rugy Phil Maynard says: "Reaching the quarter-finals would be a huge boost, not just for this club, but for rugby in Birmingham.

"It is a battle to promote rugby because there are so many football clubs in the city. But people are starting to take notice of the strides that we have made and our cup run has helped to keep the interest going."

Maynard said Bees are close to submitting plans to develop their second ground at Portway into a stadium capable of staging Premiership rugby and a place in the quarter-finals would give the club the chance to test themselves against Premiership opposition.

"Just as importantly it would give us national prominence and give us the chance to raise the profile of rugby in Birmingham."

Before Maynard can think about a Premiership side he has Wakefield to contend with.

Wakefield lost narrowly, 23-20, at Sharmans Cross Road last season but booked their place in the sixth round for the first time in seven years by inflicting a first defeat on Worcester.

Maynard is disappointed that Worcester fielded a weakened side at Wakefield because their exit has deprived the competition of a West Midlands derby and he believes that Wakefield will provide tougher opposition.

"I was disappointed that Worcester fielded a weakened side at Wakefield and to read the comments of John Brain, their director of rugby, that they didn't really want to play us before we meet in the league next month," Maynard said.

 

CENTRE Mike Davies is in line to return for Pertemps Bees Powergen Cup sixth round clash with Wakefield at Sharmans Cross Road tomorrow (2pm).

Davies was forced to withdraw from last weekend's National League One defeat at Orrell in the early hours of Saturday morning to attend the birth of his daughter in Wales.

His absence forced Bees to reshuffle their side, bringing Luke Nabaro into the centre and Byron Vivian onto the bench but Davies is expected to resume his centre partnership with Shaun Woof as the Bees attempt to reach the quarter-finals of the cup for the first time.

Mark Woodrow is also in line to start at fly-half ahead of former Scotland and British Lions international Craig Chalmers and Rob Walton may be given a run at lock in place of Alex Davidson who suffered bruised ribs at Orrell.

Meanwhile Bees have rearranged their league game against Bedford Blues, which should have been played at Sharmans Cross Road on Saturday, for Saturday December 20 with a 2pm kick-off.

 

Orrell 20, Pertemps Bees 13

PHIL Maynard has promised Saturday's conquerers Orrell the result will be different when they come to Sharmans Cross Road next year.

In a scathing attack the Bees director of rugby also predicted the Wigan side wouldn't finish top of the division after failing to impress against his own charges.

"They have spent a million pounds more than us and we took a bonus point off them and were the best side for large parts of the game," he said in reference to the consolation his side took for losing by seven points or less.

"We are looking forward to playing them at home because I think we will do them."

He also denied that Bees had become a victim of their own success: "Anyone who would have expected us to have gone to Orrell and get a win does not know the game. They have got the mighty JJB sports company backing them." he snapped.

An already uneven playing field was tilted further in the Lancastrians favour when Bees centre, Mike Davies, returned home in the middle of Friday night to attend the birth of his daughter.

A single Craig Chalmers penalty had them leading 3-0 at the interval.

The former British Lion added a second but unfortunately Orrell were dealing in the currency of tries by this stage. Lock Adam Jackson and No 8 Alfie Too'ala both crossed for converted scores. Leigh Hinton stretched the lead with two penalties before Dave Knight raced over with Mark Woodrow's conversion earning an extra point.

 

Mark Woodrow is set to be given another chance to displace fly-half Craig Chalmers this weekend when the Pertemps Bees take on Wakefield in the Powergen Cup sixth round.

Chalmers is suffering from knocks picked up in Saturday's 20-13 defeat at Orrell, although he also came in for some criticism for his second half kicking.

So Woodrow, who impressed in the last 20 minutes at Edgehall Road, is likely to start at Shar-mans Cross Road on Saturday.

In the second row, Rob Walton, who has impressed as a replacement in recent weeks, may also be given a run in place of Alex Davidson, who is suffering from bruised ribs.

The Bees hope to welcome back centre Mike Davies for the Cup clash after he was forced to withdraw from the Orrell game in the early hours of Saturday to attend the birth of his daughter in Wales.

His absence forced Phil Maynard to reshuffle their side at the last minute, bringing Luke Nabaro into the centre and the now-departed Byron Vivian onto the bench.

But Davies is expected to resume his established centre partnership with Shaun Woof as the Bees attempt to reach the quarter-finals of the Powergen Cup for the first time.

Birmingham & Solihull have reached the last 16 of the competition for four of the last five years but they have yet to make it past that point.

A win over Wakefield will set up a potentially money-spinning clash against a Premiership side in the last eight.

 

The first defeat in the history - albeit a brief one - of the Pertemps Bees showed the shortcomings of a semi-professional set-up.

The Bees showed bucketloads of commitment and stamina.

But, crucially, their hosts Orrell (in the manner of an England team playing badly and winning) had the organisation to withstand pressure and the killer instinct to make the most of their own rare scoring opportunities.

Despite their increased playing budget since signing up with Pertemps, the Midland part-timers are unable to match Orrell off the field - and, on the evidence of Saturday afternoon, there will usually be something lacking on it.

Phil Maynard's side had an overwhelming amount of possession in the first half but were limited to a single penalty.

A 15-minute period of Orrell attack, however, resulted in two converted tries and allowed the Maurice Lindsay-backed side to run out winners.

So it was Gavin Cattle and Leigh Hinton - who, along with coach Jim McKay, left Sharmans Cross Road for Orrell during the close season - who were able to enjoy the result more than their former team-mates.

In the Bees' nine-game winning start, they have often show a resilience in the final stages, though, and that was partially evident again on Saturday.

Full-back Dave Knight is in the kind of form to suggest that he may follow Hinton and Cattle into the view of bigger clubs.

And his injury-time try - his eighth in the league - allowed replacement

fly-half Mark Woodrow to convert and bring his side within seven points to earn a single bonus point.

Woodrow came on for Craig Chalmers, who was heckled with cries of 'Retire' as he left the field.

But the former Scottish international obviously worried Orrell enough to be subjected to some borderline tackles in the opening exchanges.

The hosts had reason to be worried as, apart from a disallowed Hinton try, they were far less proactive than the Bees.

Instead, they kept themselves warm on a bitterly cold Wigan day by tackling and chasing back in such a disciplined fashion that all they permitted was one three-pointer by Chalmers.

In the second half the Bees paid for a failure - through a missed penalty kick, several unforced errors and perhaps a lack of imagination - to fashion a decent lead.

Lock Adam Jackson, who came into the Orrell side only ten minutes before kick-off after an injury, made his name known by crashing through under the posts after 42 minutes.

Chalmers replied with a penalty but his inaccurate touch-kicking allowed Orrell to run the ball back at the Bees too often.

Inevitably, it resulted in a try for Samoan Alfie Too'ala before Hinton - seen by many as Orrell's best signing of the summer - added a conversion and two penalties to seal the win.

Knight and Woodrow retrieved something from the game late on but the result saw the Bees hand pole position in National League One to Worcester, those other full-timers.

ORRELL: Barrow; Welding, Penney, Kelly (Haughton, 54), Hinton; Slemen, Cattle; Emms, McCarthy, Barretto, Jackson, Easter, Wilks, Lewitt, Too'ala. Not used: Howe, Livesey, Parr, Crabtree, Jones.

BEES: D Knight; Takarangi, Nabaro, Woof, Baxter (Richardson, 80); Chalmers (Woodrow, 68), P Knight; Sigley, Merritt (Hubbleday, 71), Long, Davidson (Walton, 59), Orgee, Fakatou (White, 71), Carter, Jenner. Not used: Gravil, Vivian.

 

The first defeat in the history - albeit a brief one - of the Pertemps Bees showed the shortcomings of a semi-professional set-up.

The Bees showed bucketloads of commitment and stamina.

But, crucially, their hosts Orrell (in the manner of an England team playing badly and winning) had the organisation to withstand pressure and the killer instinct to make the most of their own rare scoring opportunities.

Despite their increased playing budget since signing up with Pertemps, the Midland part-timers are unable to match Orrell off the field - and, on the evidence of Saturday afternoon, there will usually be something lacking on it.

Phil Maynard's side had an overwhelming amount of possession in the first half but were limited to a single penalty.

A 15-minute period of Orrell attack, however, resulted in two converted tries and allowed the Maurice Lindsay-backed side to run out winners.

So it was Gavin Cattle and Leigh Hinton - who, along with coach Jim McKay, left Sharmans Cross Road for Orrell during the close season - who were able to enjoy the result more than their former team-mates.

In the Bees' nine-game winning start, they have often show a resilience in the final stages, though, and that was partially evident again on Saturday.

Full-back Dave Knight is in the kind of form to suggest that he may follow Hinton and Cattle into the view of bigger clubs.

And his injury-time try - his eighth in the league - allowed replacement

fly-half Mark Woodrow to convert and bring his side within seven points to earn a single bonus point.

Woodrow came on for Craig Chalmers, who was heckled with cries of 'Retire' as he left the field.

But the former Scottish international obviously worried Orrell enough to be subjected to some borderline tackles in the opening exchanges.

The hosts had reason to be worried as, apart from a disallowed Hinton try, they were far less proactive than the Bees.

Instead, they kept themselves warm on a bitterly cold Wigan day by tackling and chasing back in such a disciplined fashion that all they permitted was one three-pointer by Chalmers.

In the second half the Bees paid for a failure - through a missed penalty kick, several unforced errors and perhaps a lack of imagination - to fashion a decent lead.

Lock Adam Jackson, who came into the Orrell side only ten minutes before kick-off after an injury, made his name known by crashing through under the posts after 42 minutes.

Chalmers replied with a penalty but his inaccurate touch-kicking allowed Orrell to run the ball back at the Bees too often.

Inevitably, it resulted in a try for Samoan Alfie Too'ala before Hinton - seen by many as Orrell's best signing of the summer - added a conversion and two penalties to seal the win.

Knight and Woodrow retrieved something from the game late on but the result saw the Bees hand pole position in National League One to Worcester, those other full-timers.

ORRELL: Barrow; Welding, Penney, Kelly (Haughton, 54), Hinton; Slemen, Cattle; Emms, McCarthy, Barretto, Jackson, Easter, Wilks, Lewitt, Too'ala. Not used: Howe, Livesey, Parr, Crabtree, Jones.

BEES: D Knight; Takarangi, Nabaro, Woof, Baxter (Richardson, 80); Chalmers (Woodrow, 68), P Knight; Sigley, Merritt (Hubbleday, 71), Long, Davidson (Walton, 59), Orgee, Fakatou (White, 71), Carter, Jenner. Not used: Gravil, Vivian.

 

Pertemps Bees have been warned that they could be docked points if they finish top of National League One at the end of the season because their Sharmans Cross Road headquarters does not come up to Premiership standards.

The threat was made by First Division Rugby, the body responsible for National One, at a meeting in London this week.

FDR want to avoid a repeat of two years ago when Rotherham romped to the National One title but were denied promotion because their Clifton Lane ground did not meet Premier-ship specifications.

Rotherham had to move to Millmoor, the home of Rotherham United football club, to ensure promotion to the Premiership when they won National One again last season and FDR want to introduce radical proposals to ensure that there will be automatic promotion in the future.

FDR want clubs whose grounds do not meet Premiership standards to be penalised with points deduction to ensure that a club with adequate facilities is promoted. Under the terms of the FDR proposals a club must finish in the top three of National One to be considered for promotion.

Premiership entry criteria require clubs to have either a minimum licensed capacity of 8,200 with at least 4,000 permanent seats or a minimum licensed a capacity of 11,000.

At the moment only two National One clubs, Orrell, who have access to the JJB Stadium, and Bristol, who were relegated from the Premiership last season, meet the criteria. Worcester, whose Sixways ground has a capacity of 5,135 with 4,625, have planning permission to build another stand to allow them to meet the Premiership demands.

Pertemps Bees, who lead the National One table at the moment, have plans to move from Sharmans Cross Road to Portway, adjacent to junction three of the M42 motorway. They intends to build a ground that will meet all Premiership specifications there but their plans have not yet been submitted to Stratford Council and the new ground is not expected to be ready until the start of the 2005/06 season.

Sharmans Cross Road, with a capacity of 2,500 and covered accommodation for only 150 falls way short of the minimum Premiership standards and, with a move in the offing, it does not make financial sense for them to spend money on upgrading the facilities.

As members of FDR we have to support their regulations but the suggestion that we would be docked points if we finished top of the league because our facilities are not good enough still came as a shock, said Tony Moir, the Bees general manager.

We are still putting the finishing touches to our plans for Portway and the deadline for inspection of facilities, as I understand it, has been brought forward to early January.

There is no way that Shar-mans Cross Road would meet the Premiership criteria nor would we be able to provide temporary facilities at Portway for a season that would comply with the regulations.

The alternative of sharing facilities with a football club or another sporting neighbour has not yet been discussed, partly because the Bees have surprised themselves with their success this season, but that might have to be given serious consideration.

We have had no discussions about ground-sharing with other sports clubs because we are still at an early stage of the season, Moir said.

But if we beat Orrell on Saturday, which will be a benchmark of how far we have progressed this season, and continue our success, then we will have to start thinking seriously about it.

The FDR proposals are still subject to ratification by the RFU.

 

 

 

PROP Jim Thorp is facing another lengthy lay-off after he suffered a recurrence of a shoulder injury in Pertemps Bees Powergen Cup success at Waterloo.

Thorp sustained the injury after he came on as a replacement for his first senior appearance in a month.

He was due to visit a specialist on Monday but is likely to be out of action until the New Year.

"We won't have a clear picture until Jim has seen the specialist but it didn't look good on Saturday and he could be out of action for a long time," said director of rugby Phil Maynard.

A summer recruit from Premiership side Sale, Thorp will miss the crucial trip to Orrell tomorrow so Andy Gravil, the former Rotherham prop, is likely to be recalled to the bench.

Full-back Dave Knight and centre Mike Davies, who were rested for the Waterloo game will return to the starting line-up along with scrum-half Paul Knight and flanker Nathan Carter who were replacements for the cup tie.

The Orrell game will pit Bees against their former backs coach Jim McKay, full-back Leigh Hinton and scrum-half Gavin Cattle, but Maynard insists that will be a side issue.

"All the pressure is going to be on Orrell," he said. "This is a game that they know they have to win, we can go up there and enjoy ourselves.

"Potentially it's a great game for us and one that we are relishing.

"I don't think that anyone really expects us to win this league but we have gone into November unbeaten in all rugby, the only club in this division who can boast that record, and I intend to stick a copy of the league table on the dressing room noticeboard this week just to remind everyone of what we have achieved."

Meanwhile Bees' win at Waterloo has secured them a home tie against Wakefield in the sixth round on November 15.

It is the second time in three seasons they have reached the last 16.

And the Sharmans Cross Road side are already assured of a place in the semi-finals of the Powergen Shield, the competition for the four non-Premiership clubs who reach the last 16 of the Powergen Cup.

 

BEES have been given a boost with the re-classification of number eight Hese Fakatou, above, as British.

The former Tonga international was due to become British qualified early in the new year after he had completed four years' residence in Britain but he has now been re-classified under new regulations.

Following a successful challenge by Maros Kolpak, a Slovakian handball player against quota limits in Germany, players from a number of countries who have association or co-operation agreements with EU countries, are entitled to EU work-ers rights.

Tonga is one of the countries with such an agreement.

The decision will simplify selection for Pertemps Bees as it leaves only Australian centre Byron Vivian and New Zealand winger Aaron Takarangi as overseas players. National One clubs can select only two non-EU-qualified players in their squad.