By IC Birmingham
March 17 2006

Had Pertemps Bees lost 28-16 to Bedford then it would have hardly caused a ripple. Had Pertemps Bees lost 28-16 to Bedford then it would have hardly caused a ripple.

Second best team in National One with a huge full-time squad win against third from bottom part timers. So what?

That Bees lost 68-16, though - their record defeat in league rugby - has the doom merchants wringing hands and wailing relegation.

John White, Bees forwards coach, said: "To put matters into context, the week before we travelled to Penzance and it was an extremely hard, physical battle in windy conditions.

"We are a small squad and the following week on heavy ground we then have to play the second best side in the league who have a huge squad, are extremely well funded and full of experienced players.

"Our boys, given the difficulties with the weather and training last week, were not completely over the trip to

Penzance. We left at 4.45 on Sunday night and got back at 11.10. That is all well and good for a pro but our boys are at work on Monday morning.

"The sequence of Penzance away then a heavyweight Bedford side combined with losing three players in 28 minutes, the spine of our pack, put us under too much pressure."

Flanker Duncan White has a broken leg, hooker Matt Miles ruptured ankle ligaments and prop Jason Hobson suffered a neck injury.

"It did not help the fact that Bedford did play outstandingly well," said White. "But we have demonstrated that we are capable of playing some extremely good and constructive rugby.

"Nobody likes taking a panning but we are not in anyway bowed by that. We are not downcast, we have a great but small squad of good lads and it was always going to be tough this year and so it has proved to be."