By Brian Dick- Birmingham Post
May 17 2005

Pertemps Bees are poised to sign Stourbridge half-back Ben Harvey as backs coach after announcing incumbent Mark Wilson is intending to return to Dudley Kingswinford. Harvey has played for the Stourton Park club for the last four seasons and has broken most of their scoring records but is understood to want to move into coaching.

According to Bees' director of rugby, Phil Maynard, the deal is "60 per cent" certain to be completed with an agreement likely to be concluded in the next few weeks.

Maynard said yesterday: "Ben has always had some good ideas about coaching and has always wanted to get into it. It would be a good opportunity for him."

Harvey, a versatile three-quarter who is more than a specialist scrum-half, has been one of the best kickers in the National Leagues in recent years. Although Maynard suggested the 30-year-old would not be coming to play, he did not rule out the possibility of the former Moseley and Worcester man lining up in a Bees shirt next season.

Harvey also played for England Under 21s and for the England seven-a-side team in the Commonwealth Games. His 315 league points in 2002-03 remain a Stourbridge record.

Maynard paid tribute to Wilson, who left Heathbrook to join him at Sharmans Cross Road two years ago, but believes he has struggled to reconcile his teaching position with the time demanded in his role at Bees.

Maynard said: " Mark found work commitments increasingly difficult to combine with rugby at this level. He has enjoyed his time with us, has learned a lot and has brought some interesting ideas and innovations.

"But the demands in National One are increasing to a full-time job with part-time money."

Brian Dick- Birmingham Post