Pertemps Bees 33-12 Penzance & Newlyn Pirates

11/9/2004 3PM

Sharmans Cross

An injury marred what should have been a convincing win for the Bees in their first home game of the season. Dan Zaltzman went down injured in the far corner and the game was delayed for 15 minutes whilst they put him on a stretcher and waited for the ambulance. Any news on Dan’s condition or updates will appear here.

Bees managed to maintain their unbeaten run in the National One season achieving their second five-point haul in a row. The Pirates of Penzance made it hard work for the Bees but didn’t manage to smuggle any points away.

Both sides started well and exchanged early penalties before Aaron Takarangi sprinted down the right wing and dived over the line to score the first try in the game, and his third of the season. Tim Walsh managed a huge conversion from the touchline to start an impressive game with the boot.

Bees then scored again when Takarangi’s counterpart Nick Baxter intercepted on the half way line and ran it in. You could see this coming a mile off, it was so telegraphed that I even managed to get my camera ready. (Well nearly…)

Bees went in 23-12 up I think. Two tries, two conversions and three penalties.

The second half however was a different matter. Bees stuggled in attack and missed many opportunities with the lineouts with an obvious break down of communication between Matt Miles and his receivers.

Next came the telling point in the game. With the Pirates looking like they were due to score and the Bees fans looking nervous, captain Paul Knight got sin-binned for fighting (presumably with himself…) and influential prop Jim Thorp joined him minutes later for a very harsh hands in the ruck.

Down to 13 men and stuck in their own 5 yard area pretty much every Bees fan would put money on the gap in the scoreline closing. But no! The Bees defended resolutely to keep the Pirates at bay (no pun intended, well maybe a small one…).

It was at this point that Bees lost their new signing Zaltzman. Not much is known at the moment but it looked a very bad injury. We wish him well in recovery. One funny point was when Dave announced that a car was blocking the ambulance path. It was captain Ed Orgee’s car and he had to quickly go and move it.

So. After lots of chopping and changing of the lineup, Bees were still 23-12 up with around 15 minutes to go. The semi pro home side stepped up the pace, and their professional opposition couldn’t cope.

Bees managed to secure a wonderful catch and drive. The most amazing part that they managed to catch the ball, with Jim Jenner going over, and then a moment of brilliance from the small fly-half Tim Walsh rounded things off when he sprinted easily past a prop on the wing.

Another sour note ended the game when new boy Gavin Pfister who was a rock today limped off to be replaced by Rob Merritt.

My man of the match: Tim Walsh by a mile. Walshy had an incredible game and his kicking from hand was spot on. Unfortunate to miss a few conversions at the end. Played very well all round.

Just an aside from the game. I met my idol Nick Knight. The proper “Knighter” was at the game as part of the Wooden Spoon Society I think. He probably got scared off though what with me gawping at him.

A good result from the Bees.

Other Results:

Bedford (18)49-23(13) Henley

Orrell (3)13-20(13) Coventry

Plymouth Albion (6)17-16(10) Exeter

Nottingham (18)25-38(10) Otley

Rotherham (13)42-22(15) Sedgley Park

Photos are available from todays game here.

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