By Elliott Josypenko
February 23 2005

Pertemps Bees will put tickets on sale for the Powergen Shield semi-final against Bedford at their offices at Sharmans Cross Road on Thursday February 24 (7pm to 9pm). Almost 1,000 tickets have already been snapped up by bedford supporters ahead of the semi-final at Sharmans Cross Road on Saturday March 5 (2pm) and the remaining 320 tickets from their allocation are expected to go by the weekend.
Bedford, who asked for an initial allocation of 2,500 tickets, are expected to be well-supported on the day and spectators intending to attend the tie are advised to purchase their tickets in advance to secure entry to the ground.
Lee O'Neill, Pertemps Bees' commercial director, said: "The game is generating huge interest and we would urge our own supporters to buy tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.
"Bedford sold their first allocation of 750 tickets within an hour and they then asked for additional 1,750 tickets which they said they could sell. We turned down that request because it would have left little space for our own supporters but we did give Bedford an additional allocation of 500 tickets, the majority of which they have already sold.
"We expect spectators to turn up in numbers on the day and we are trying to ensure that we can accommodate everyone by selling as many tickets as we can in advance."
Tickets will also be on sale at Pertemps Bees club office from 9am to 1pm on each weekday next week. Tickets are priced £13 for ground admission and £15 for seats in the stand. Admission is free to Under-19s.
Meanwhile Pertemps Bees will await a late fitness check on lock Rob Hurell before they finalise their side for the National League One game against Plymouth Albion at Brickfields on Saturday February 26.
Hurrell suffered a minor ankle injury in last Saturday's defeat by Bristol and he will have a precautionary fitness test before Pertemps Bees finalise their side.
Flanker Luke Narraway and fly-half Ryan Lamb will again be missing following their recall by Gloucester from loan arrangements. With the tranfer deadline looming on March 1 neither player is likely to rejoin Pertemps Bees before the end of the season.