Bridgend 18-12 Bees: Bees double blow
By Elliott Josypenko
August 22 2005
Pertemps Bees suffered a double setback in their build-up to their opening National League One game against NEC Harlequins this evening.
By Elliott Josypenko
August 22 2005
Pertemps Bees suffered a double setback in their build-up to their opening National League One game against NEC Harlequins this evening.
First they were beaten 18-12 by Bridgend at the Brewery Field then they were informed that Pontypool had withdrawn from the second match of their South Wales tour scheduled for Sunday.
Pontypool claimed that they were unable to raise a side for the game and attempts are now being made for Pertemps Bees to play Llandovery, another Welsh Premier Division club, instead.
"Losing the Pontypool game is a huge blow to us," said Pertemps Bees' director of rugby Phil Maynard. "They contacted us in the week and said they were looking forward to playing us.
"They also said they intended to use the game to have a look at some of their new players and triallists. But they rang us when they were already on our way to South Wales to tell us they could no longer raise a team.
"That is very unsatisfactory from one of the most famous clubs in Britain. Our whole weekend is geared to playing two games and to lose one of them at such short notice isn't acceptable.
"We are trying to organise a game against our old friends from Llandovery but, given the very short notice, that will not be possible. Our directors will have to consider whether we try to claim back part of the costs of the trip from Pontypool for the inconvenience they have caused."
The defeat by Bridgend was watched by Dean Richards, Harlequins' director of rugby, whose side is due at Sharmans Cross Road for the opening league game of the season on September 3.
The game was played in 30 minute thirds and Maynard again used the match to rotate his full squad. Pertemps Bees trailed 18-0 until the final third when fly-half Tim Walsh and flanker Hese Fakatou crossed for tries and Walsh added a conversion.
"We are already a game down on where we were at this stage last season and it showed a bit in the way we played," Maynard said. "But it was a very useful exercise against decent opposition.
"Cae Trayhern and Tu Tamarua were both outstanding in the back-row, Adam Billig had his first 15 minutes of rugby for us since he moved from Bristol and it gave everyone else valuable game time.
"Our hope now is that we can find opponents to give us the extra game that we need on Sunday."
Pontypool claimed that they were unable to raise a side for the game and attempts are now being made for Pertemps Bees to play Llandovery, another Welsh Premier Division club, instead.
"Losing the Pontypool game is a huge blow to us," said Pertemps Bees' director of rugby Phil Maynard. "They contacted us in the week and said they were looking forward to playing us.
"They also said they intended to use the game to have a look at some of their new players and triallists. But they rang us when they were already on our way to South Wales to tell us they could no longer raise a team.
"That is very unsatisfactory from one of the most famous clubs in Britain. Our whole weekend is geared to playing two games and to lose one of them at such short notice isn't acceptable.
"We are trying to organise a game against our old friends from Llandovery but, given the very short notice, that will not be possible. Our directors will have to consider whether we try to claim back part of the costs of the trip from Pontypool for the inconvenience they have caused."
The defeat by Bridgend was watched by Dean Richards, Harlequins' director of rugby, whose side is due at Sharmans Cross Road for the opening league game of the season on September 3.
The game was played in 30 minute thirds and Maynard again used the match to rotate his full squad. Pertemps Bees trailed 18-0 until the final third when fly-half Tim Walsh and flanker Hese Fakatou crossed for tries and Walsh added a conversion.
"We are already a game down on where we were at this stage last season and it showed a bit in the way we played," Maynard said. "But it was a very useful exercise against decent opposition.
"Cae Trayhern and Tu Tamarua were both outstanding in the back-row, Adam Billig had his first 15 minutes of rugby for us since he moved from Bristol and it gave everyone else valuable game time.
"Our hope now is that we can find opponents to give us the extra game that we need on Sunday."
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