Pertemps Bees -v- Exeter Chiefs

4/12/2004 2PM 

Sharmans Cross Road, Solihull

Bees escaped Butts with a victory snatched from the jaws of defeat in the Powergen Cup giving the Bees a trip to Yorkshire to face Leeds Tykes (Dec 19^th).

But that is in the future and first Bees will have to take on a strong Exeter side in the league.

Bees have faced some defeats over the past few weeks whereas Exeter have had a very good half of the season. They currently lie in second place with Bees in fifth.

Bees will be hoping to welcome back Jim Jenner and Rob Walton into the starting line-up. Jenner has been out of action for a while with a neck injury but managed a contact session in training.

Mike Davies who was caught on the head during the cup match last week, will recover to take up his place in the centres.

Steve McCormacks Preview

Probably the top fixture of the day in this division takes place at Sharmans Cross Road as two teams having different fortunes in the Powergen Cup on Saturday meet for the first time this season.

Pertemps Bees continued their excellent recent record in the Powergen Cup by knocking out Coventry at the Butts Arena after coming back from 20 points down. They now face Leeds Tykes at Headingley in the sixth round. This was their first victory in four matches after losing the last three in the league to Rotherham, Nottingham and Bedford, a poor run which has seen them drop to fifth in the league. They have won three from four at home this season.

Exeter were beaten by five points at Bedford in the Powergen Cup on Saturday and will now concentrate all their efforts on pushing Bristol and Plymouth for top spot. They have not been beaten in the league since 2^nd October and won three of their five away games.

Exeter have had the better of Pertemps Bees in this fixture but last season the Bees completed the league double. In what is likely to be a very close contest, home advantage may just see the Bees through on Saturday.

Steve's Prediction: Pertemps Bees to win by 3 points

My prediction: 34-12 to Bees 

League Form Guide:

Pertemps Bees: l w l l w

Exeter Chiefs: w w w w l

Comparisons:

Other Matches:

Plymouth Albion v Otley 14:00

Pertemps Bees v Exeter 14:00

Rotherham v Henley 15:00

Coventry v Sedgley Park 15:00

London Welsh v Nottingham 15:00

Orrell  v Penzance/ Newlyn 15:00

 Bristol  v Bedford 15:00

REMEMBER. THIS GAME IS A 2PM KO!