Pertemps Bees -v- Bristol Shoguns

19/02/2005 (2pm)

Sharmans Cross Road, Solihull

Bristol who have just given up their top spot following two losses will be looking to get back on track, whilst Bees last defeat was 50-7 to local rivals Coventry. With both sides looking to get their season back on the roads, this will be a very entertaining game, and one that Bees will feel they have a chance in.

Bees will know much about the Bristol backs with both Mark Woodrow and Luke Nabaro present for the Shoguns. Both featured prominently in the Cup victory at Wasps last season, and both are likely to get a warm reception.

Bees on the other hand will be struggling with injured or missing forwards. Ed Orgee is a long-term injury in the second row, and it looks like Jim Thorp’s playing days may unfortunately be numbered. Both Ryan Lamb and Luke Narraway are missing following an England U19s call up and a call up to Gloucester’s team respectively.

Steve McCormack’s Preview:

Pertemps Bees have not hit their early season form for some time now, but they will need to be at their best on Saturday when they welcome a Bristol side to Sharmans Cross Road who have lost their last two matches.

Bees went down heavily at Coventry last time out and stayed in ninth position. It is likely this is where they will finish as they are nine points behind eighth placed Coventry and 14 ahead of tenth placed Sedgley Park. They have played eight matches at home and won six, only Nottingham and Exeter coming away with wins. They have only won three of their last 11 matches and these have all come against the bottom three teams at home.

Two weeks ago, Bristol were leading the field with games in hand, but after losing at Exeter, and last Saturday, surprisingly at home to Penzance, the title and promotion race is now wide open and they now find themselves in second place, two points behind Exeter. Prior to these defeats they had only lost one of their previous 15 league games. Their defeat at Exeter is their only loss away from home from seven played.

Bristol beat Pertemps Bees in October 31-14 when both teams were at the top of their form. Bees beat Bristol 37-22 last January, but the Shoguns are fancied to get back to winning ways on Saturday.

Steve's Prediction: Bristol by 12

My prediction: Bees 8-32 Bristol

Form Guide:

Pertemps Bees: l w w l l

Coventry: w w w l l

Comparisons:

Other Matches:

Orrell   v Exeter        14:00

Henley v Otley         14:30

Nottingham v Rotherham      15:00

Coventry v Plymouth Albion 15:00

Bedford v London Welsh       15:00

Sunday:

Penzance/ Newlyn v Sedgley Park   14:30

View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon