Bedford Blues -v- Pertemps Bees

02/08/2006 3PM

Goldington Road, Bedford

Pertemps Bees start the season away against a very strong Bedford side. The Bees side contain 11 debutants, including Matt Nuthall and Stewart Pearl, whilst former favourite Terry Sigley is back in black and gold. The side, captained by Mark Cornwall will have a real baptism of fire against a Bedford side containing Ross Broadfoot, Matt Volland and former Bee, Adrian Olver. Fortunately however, recent returner James Pritchard is not playing

Pertemps Bees have named twelve of their summer signings in a new-look side for their opening National League One game against Bedford Blues at Goldington Road on Saturday September 2.
New head coach Steve Williams will give debuts to eleven players. Prop Terry Sigley, who has been signed on a loan deal from Premiership club Gloucester, has played for Pertemps Bees previously.
The new recruits are full-back Jon Goodridge, who is also on loan from Gloucester, winger Matt Nuthall and centre Tristan Davies (both Cardiff Blues), fly-half Jon Higgins (Coventry), scrum-half Reece Spee (Ulster), Canadian international prop Casey Dunning, hooker Stewart Pearl (Plymouth Albion), locks Mark Cornwell (Gloucester) and Mark Gabey (Exeter) and flankers Dan Tuohy (Gloucester) and Aakapusi Qera (Fiji).
There are only three survivors from last season's squad - Adam Billig, Dave Knight and Will Matthews - in the starting line-up and three more - Matt Miles, Matt Long and Alex Davidson - on the bench. Replacement winger Kyle Palm made his debut last season as a trialist.
Pertemps Bees go into the game aiming to build on two encouraging performances in pre-season friendlies against Blackheath and Bridgend at Portway, both of which were won.
"I am very pleased with the way the players have applied themselves in training throughout the summer and I could not have asked more of the boys," said former Wales lock Williams.
"We have only had the full squad together for the last three weeks or so which means that we have been a bit pushed.
"The first five weeks of training were very tough because we had a few players who were involved abroad so we concentrated on skills and fitness and that meant it was tough going for the players who were here.
"But in the last couple of weeks we have been able to work on drills and organisation. The players have thrown themselves into training and they are hungry to do well."

Steve McCormack’s Preview:

Bedford Blues start off the season with a home fixture over one of last seasons most disappointing sides in National One, Birmingham & Solihull.

The Blues finished as runners up last season to Harlequins and would again be hoping to be up there pushing for promotion.

The Blues have recruited well during in the summer with James Pritchard and Ross Broadfoot likely to have a big influence as the season progresses.

The Bees have released a number of players as they look to rebuild after finishing bottom of the table last season.

Last season the Blues did the double over the Bees including a late season thrashing of them at Sharmans Cross, 68-16.

Steve’s Prediction: Bedford by 15

My prediction: Bedford by 10

Form Guide:

Pertemps Bees: ww (preseason)

Bedford: lw (preseason)

Other Matches:

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