Match Preview- Manchester Away

By Elliott Josypenko
April 8 2004

Bees are on their worst run of form for a long time with four straight losses. Manchester are already relegated from National One but a rivalry between the sides should ensure a good match.

Manchester -v- Pertemps Bees

03/04/2004 3PM

Grove Park

Probable Teams

Pertemps Bees Position Manchester Kevin Tkachuk 1 Andy Fuller Rob Merritt 2 Luke Hewson Terry Sigley 3 Nick Flynn Neil Fletcher 4 Kitiona Viliamu Charlie Danielle 5 Matt Owen Hese Fakatou 6 Liam Wordley Nathan Carter 7 Dave Wilkes Jim Jenner 8 Tim Cowley Tom Richardson 9 Matthew Leyden Mark Woodrow 10 Simon Verbickas Aaron Takarangi 11 David Wood Shaun Woof 12 Isaac Richmond Luke Nabaro 13 Richard Hughes Nick Baxter 14 James Dalton Dave Knight 15 Stuart Brown Jim Thorp 16 Mike Armstrong Alan Hubbleday 17 Jeffrey Craine Duncan White 18 Edward Hack Pete Knight 19 Owen Lucas Matt Long 20 Gareth Stephens Jason Strange 21 Seru Tagicakibau Tim Barlow 22

Bees have lost the last four in a pretty poor manner but scored four tries past Bedford. Manchester shouldn't really prove too much of a problem. They are already relegated and have had a poor season scoring just 32 tries.

Pertemps Bees' lock Rob Walton has been ruled out of Saturday's National League one clash with already-relegated Manchester at Grove Park. Walton damaged ankle ligaments in last Saturday's defeat at Bedford and he failed a fitness test today. Pertemps Bees hope that Walton will be fit to face Plymouth Albion at Sharmans Cross Road on April 10 but his absence this weekend leaves them without three frontline locks. Skipper Ed Orgee (cracked ribs) and Alex Davidson (shoulder) both sustained injuries in the Powergen Cup semi-final defeat at Newcastle Falcons. The added absence of Walton means that Neil Fletcher, who spent a brief spell on loan with Manchester earlier in the season, and Charlie Daniell, recalled from loan with Moseley last week, will form a new second row pairing. Duncan White, who is normally a back-row forward, will provide cover for the two locks.

Form Guide:

Manchester: LLWDW

Bees: WLLLL

Comparisons: