Exeter -v- Pertemps Bees

23/04/2005 (3PM)

County Ground, Exeter

Pertemps Bees have recalled flanker Nathan Carter for their final National League One away game of the season against Exeter Chiefs at the County Ground on Saturday April 23 (3pm).

Carter last played in the Powergen Shield semi-final defeat by Bedford Blues on March 5 but he has been preferred to Tom Jordan, who has played in the last four league games, as Pertemps Bees have optd for experience against the likely league runners-up.

Former Tonga international Hese Fakatou has also been brought back into the starting line-up in place of Ben Hughes and Matt Long returns to the front row after a one-match lay-off.

Long suffered minor facial injuries in the defeat at Nottingham three weeks ago which forced him to miss the league defeat by Bedford Blues at Sharmans Cross Road seven days later.

Andrew Le Chevalier and Jordan drop to the bench to accommodate Long and Carter.

Steve McCormack’s Preview:

After pushing Bristol very close this season, Exeter’s dream of Premiership rugby is over for another year, but they will be determined to hang on to runners-up spot and maintain their marvellous record at the County Ground this season. 

Having lost three of their last four matches, Exeter’s challenge finally petered out at the Butts Arena in their last match when they went down 27-22 to Coventry. In second place behind Bristol, they are now only three points ahead of Devon rivals Plymouth. They have played 12 matches at the County Ground this season , winning 11, and losing by one point to Plymouth. 

Pertemps Bees will be glad to see the back of this season and lost for the eighth successive match when beaten 29-18 at home to Bedford in their last game. Amazingly, they have held on to ninth place, but both Sedgley Park and Nottingham are now breathing down their necks and they entertain Sedgley Park in their last match next week. They have played 12 matches away from home this season and won at the homes of the bottom three. 

Past league meetings between these clubs have been pretty level with Exeter winning five, Bees three and one drawn. Exeter will probably add another victory to this tally on Saturday. 

Steve's Prediction: Exeter by 16

My prediction: Exeter 18-18 Bees

Form Guide:

Pertemps Bees: l l l l l

Exeter: w l l w l  

Comparisons:

Other Matches:

Otley                      v                  Plymouth Albion       

Henley                    v                  Rotherham    

Sedgley Park            v                  Coventry      

Exeter                    v                  Pertemps Bees        

Bedford                   v                  Bristol

Nottingham              v                  London Welsh          

Sunday

Penzance/ Newlyn     v                  Orrell  

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