Pertemps Bees -v- Plymouth Albion

10/09/2005 3PM

Sharmans Cross Road

Pertemps Bees have called up lock Alex Davidson to face Plymouth Albion in the National League One game at Sharmans Cross Road on Saturday September 10 (3pm).
The former Wales Under-21 international was surprisingly left out of the squad for last Saturday's opening day defeat by NEC Harlequins but has been given his first chance to impress this season because captain Ed Orgee has been ruled out by an eye injury. Rob Hurrell, who replaced Orgee last week, has again been named as a replacement.
"Alex was bitterly disappointed to miss out last week and he's been chomping at the bit all week," said Phil Maynard, Pertemps Bees' director of rugby. "This is his chance to stake his claim."
Davidson is the only change to the starting line up but there are changes on the bench. Hooker Rob Elloway and back-row forward Will Matthews, who are both on loan from Premiership club Gloucester, have both been included in the squad for the first time as has former Orrell prop Joe Horn-Smith. Reupena Leilau, Hese Fakatou and Ben Gerry drop out of the squad to accommodate them.
Elloway and Matthews will join a third Gloucester player, England Under-19 fly-half Ryan Lamb, in the squad as part of formal link between Pertemps Bees and the Premiership giants.

Pertemps Bees will be presented with the prestigious RFU Seal of Approval before their National League One game against Plymouth Albion at Sharmans Cross Road on Saturday September 10 (3pm).

The award is a major landmark for the whole of Birmingham & Solihull RFC, the parent club of Pertemps Bees, and recognises the hard work that has gone into the continued development of a community-based rugby club.

The RFU Community Rugby Active Sports Seal of Approval and the Sport England Clubmark accreditation scheme are based upon a three-year award system in which a club will be assessed on its ability to provide a safe, effective, child-friendly club environment.

A club will qualify in the first year by the completion of the assessment file and the writing of a 12-month youth section Development Plan. By implementing the first year development plan and having the second year plan approved, a club will qualify for Year II status. The same process in year three will lead to Year III status.

The Award is indicative of the quality of provision a club offers, and its commitment to the continued development of young rugby players. A club will receive certification to confirm accreditation, both from Community Rugby and Sport England.

The award will be presented to Richard Crane, chairman of Birmingham & Solihull's mini and junior section, by Ben Waterhouse, one of the RFU's Rugby Development Officer for North Midlands.

Plymouth Albion go into the game in good spirits, after last week's convincing 35-13 win over Devon rivals Exeter Chiefs.

Albion hope to name an unchanged side, but are waiting on a late fitness test to Number 8 Alfie Tooala, who went off with an ankle injury against the Chiefs. 

If he doesn't recover, Chris Lowrie will come into the starting line-up.

Coach Graham Dawe is wary about taking on Bees, as Albion's record there is poor: "They are a good team. Our record up there isn't that great and we're looking to rectify that record."

 

Steve McCormack’s Preview

The Bees come back down to earth after last week’s high profile opener against NEC Harlequins.

 

Albion made a great start to the new season with an excellent home win over West Country rivals Exeter at Brickfields running out convincing winners. Despite losing key players like Dan Ward Smith, Lee Robinson, Andy Perry and Tino Paoletti they hit the ground running with that result with both matches last season going down to the wire and ending up single point wins.

 

Albion won this fixture 16-5 last season and went on to do the double over them later in the season with a 25-17 home win.

Steve’s Prediction: Albion by 5

My prediction: 17-17

Form Guide:

Pertemps Bees: L

Plymouth: W

 

Comparisons:

	Discipline	Kicker's Strike Rate	Leading Try Scorer	Total Tries	Home/Away Tries
Bees	0 0	66%	-	0	0
Plymouth	0 0	33%	Many on 1	5	0

 

Other Matches:

 

Bedford v Doncaster,                    15:00

Coventry v Earth Titans,                15:00

Exeter v London Welsh,                 15:00

Newbury v Cornish Pirates,             15:00

Otley v Harlequins,                       15:00

Sedgley Park v Nottingham, 15:00

 

 

 

 

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