By Elliott Josypenko
February 1 2005

Anyone who knows Phil Maynard would be more than well aware that he won't allow Pertemps Bees' season to fizzle out into dreary mid-table obscurity. But - quite apart from incurring the wrath of the Bees' director of rugby - there are two other very good reasons why the Sharmans Cross Road squad should be fired up for the task over the next few months.

One is to try to gain a place in the team for the Powergen Shield semi-final with Bedford - and the carrot of a final appearance at Twickenham.

And the other? To play a part a possible bright new ' fulltime' dawn next season.

"It has been a tough old season when you consider what we did in the league last year and beating Wasps," reflects Maynard.

"And than we have had to reorganise the squad to fit the financial constraints.

"But while we're not doing anything at the top of the table we've not got to look behind us at the bottom.

"Now it's all about putting in building blocks for next year, and there is still plenty to play for. The cup semi-final in March is going to be a big, big game particularly with the chance to appear in the final at Twickenham.

"And there's also the incentive for the players to earn themselves contracts for next season.

"There's a chance we'll be making some additions to the squad, and I am sure that is something the current players will want to be part of."

Despite Saturday's 17-6 defeat at Otley, Maynard did at least take heart that both they and Penzance/Newlyn, the only other side the Bees have lost to in 2005, only collected four points in their home games between the two sides.

In contrast the Bees crossed for at least four tries in their home games with both to collect five points on both occasions.

"Despite the disappointment it has been an encouraging start to the year with three wins out of five," added Maynard.

"And it was also pleasing to have second row Alex Davidson back for his first game since suffering a dislocated shoulder in last season's cup semi final with Newcastle.

* Bees captain Ed Orgee will be out of action for at least a month because of the injury that ruled him out of last Saturday's National League One defeat at Otley.

Scans revealed slight ligament damage but an operation will not be required.