By Elliott Josypenko
September 7 2004

Mark Woodrow may have quit his job as an electrician but he is determined to continue providing the spark on the field and ensure that Pertemps Bees illuminate National Division One this season.

MARK Woodrow may have quit his job as an electrician but he is determined to continue providing the spark on the field and ensure that Pertemps Bees illuminate National Division One this season.

Woodrow was the unlikely cup hero last season when the unfancied part-timers secured a sensational Powergen Cup quarter-final victory over London Wasps.

The diminutive fly-half slotted six penalties as Wasps felt the full force of the Bees' sting and slumped to the biggest cup upset in the professional era.

With his creative skills at number 10, the club also secured fourth spot in National Division One - the club's highest ever finish.

The 24-year-old, who just over 12 months ago was playing in the lower divisions for Ding Crusaders, has now stepped up his love affair with the sport by quitting his job in Bristol to take up a new role as a community rugby coach with North Midlands.

And Woodrow insists there is no way he will blow a fuse working with children because he can hardly wait to swap his screwdriver for a rugby ball and develop new rugby talent in Birmingham.

"It's great to not have a 10-hour slog everyday," admitted Woodrow. "I'll miss the banter and the jokes you get working on building sites but not the hours you have to put in, and it's a great chance to be around rugby every single day.

"It's ideal really. Being surrounded by rugby balls all day long is a dream for me and is what I've always wanted to do since I was a kid.

"I'd still like to go full-time and play rugby professionally for a living. That's what I aspire to.

"But I see this as another step up the ladder for me. Last year I stepped up a grade to join Bees from Ding Crusaders and this year I'm combining it with a coaching role - hopefully next year the dream will come true."

Woodrow starts the season as first-choice fly-half at Sharmans Cross Road with highly-rated summer recruit Tim Walsh forced to miss the National Division One opener against Henley Hawks yesterday.

The Australia Sevens international, who impressed in Bees' five pre-season friendlies, returned to Brisbane to attend his sister's wedding after the 46-17 friendly defeat by Newcastle Falcons at Kingston Park.

The former Worcester and Leeds Tykes man is now due back in England in time to play against Penzance & Newlyn at Sharmans Cross Road next Saturday.

But Woodrow is determined to keep hold of the number 10 shirt for as long as possible.

"I'd rather Walshy hadn't gone away and I had earned the jersey, but hopefully I will play really well for the first couple of games and I'll be able to hold on to it," he said.

"My pre-season hasn't been great and I didn't play a full game in the friendlies because of a thigh strain.

"But I felt good when I came on against the Falcons and enjoyed playing against Jonny Wilkinson. I thought the team put in a really good show against a very strong side.

"I know it's going to be hard this season with Tim Walsh coming in. He's a great number 10 and he's played for Leeds in the Premiership and for Queensland Reds, but hopefully I can learn from him.

"Last year I had Craig Chalmers and this time I've got Walshy after my spot, but it's always good to have quality around you to push you and make sure you produce the goods."

Bees are not tipped for promotion in National Division One this season despite a busy summer that has seen several new faces arrive at Sharmans Cross Road.

However, Woodrow remains convinced that Bees have the squad to push for top spot and upset some of the full-time outfits in the division.

And after last year's fairytale the fly-half is also dreaming of another glorious cup run.

"I'm really confident about this season because we're in much better shape. The squad is so strong and pre-season has been fantastic - winning games and playing well against Newcastle has meant the confidence in the camp has rocketed," he said.

"No-one is getting too carried away but I'm aiming for the top. As I see it there is no point in playing if you don't want to win the ultimate prize.

"Another cup run would be the icing on the cake and my friends would like me to play Newcastle again.

"When we played the Falcons last week I wanted to speak to Jonny Wilkinson and lots of people kept asking me to get his autograph, which would have been really embarrassing.

"But after the game he didn't come up to where the rest of the lads had some food so I didn't manage to grab him for a chat.

"I suppose that means we'd better beat some big sides in the cup and try to draw them so that I can try all over again."