London Welsh -v- Pertemps Bees

17/09/2005 3PM

Old Deer Park

 England Under-19 fly-half Ryan Lamb has been included in Pertemps Bees' starting line-up for the National League One game against London Welsh at Old Deer Park on Saturday September 17 (3pm).
Lamb, who is on loan from Premiership club Gloucester, impressed when he came on as a replacement in the win against Plmouth Albion last week. He has been promoted from the bench because Tim Walsh sustained a shoulder injury in training on Tuesday and he will sit out this week's game.
The inclusion of Lamb is the only change to the side that defeated Plymouth 24-13 but there four changes to the replacements' bench, including the return to the squad of captain Ed Orgee.
The former Moseley and Worcester lock suffered an eye injury in the opening game of the season against Harlequins two weeks ago but he proved his fitness by playing the full 80 minutes of the midweek game against Rugby Lions on Wednesday.
Hooker Ben Gerry returns to the squad having missed out against Plymouth. Gerry takes the place of Rob Elloway, another loan signing from Gloucester, on the bench. Elloway was suspended for two weeks by Gloucester on Tuesday for striking an opponent in a Guinness A League game against Bath on Monday evening, a suspension that has been supported by Pertemps Bees.
Prop Adrian Olver, a summer signing from Coventry, has been included in the senior squad for the first time following his recovery from a back injury. Olver played the second half of the midweek game against Rugby Lions.
Former Worcester, Stourbridge and Moseley half-back Ben Harvey, who joined the club as backs coach during the summer, has also been named as a replacement and will provide cover for both scrum-half and fly-half.

Welsh Head Coach Martin Jones has kept faith in the same starting XV for this weekend's first home match. The only change sees the return of Richard Griffith to the match day squad, replacing Dan Beard, who suffered a torn pectoral muscle injury against Exeter. Mark Meenan continues at fly half with Simon Etheredge retaining the no 6 shirt following an outstanding debut against his former team.

"Although we failed to pick up any league points, there were a number of positives to be taken from the performance at Exeter," said Martin Jones. "The squad are looking forward to playing in front of their home crowd and hope we can all generate an exciting encounter. The Bees have recruited well in the close season and their opening two league fixtures have confirmed their ranking amongst the top sides in our league."

Martin has stressed the need to maintain discipline in and around the contact area during training this week. "We are looking to play an expansive game based on sound continuity skills; we must learn by analysing and correcting our mistakes. During both opening matches of the season, we have infringed constantly at the breakdown. This has been a combination of over-eagerness, rule interpretation and in some instances blatant stupidity."

The new look squad continues to develop and are keen to express themselves this weekend to encourage vocal support from the ODP faithful.

Steve McCormack’s Preview:

Second bottom London Welsh entertain ninth placed Pertemps Bees at Old Deer Park looking for their first win of the season.

The Welsh have lost both matches to date this season on the road going down at Newbury and Exeter Chiefs.

The Bees after an opening day defeat at the hands of NEC Harlequins picked up an excellent home win over Plymouth Albion at Sharmans Cross Road.

Steve’s Prediction: Bees by seven

My prediction: 28-13 to Bees

Form Guide:

Pertemps Bees: LW

Welsh: LL

Comparisons:

Other Matches:

Bedford v Sedgley Park, 15:00

Coventry v Otley, 15:00

Doncaster v Exeter, 14:30

Harlequins v Newbury, 15:00

Plymouth Albion v Nottingham, 15:00 

Cornish Pirates -v- Earth Titans (15:00, Sunday)

THE PREDICTIONS LEAGUE IS NOW OPEN AND READY FOR ACTION!

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