Bees v Wuss preview
By Elliott Josypenko
April 22 2004
Pertemps Bees hope to be the party-poopers at Sixways this weekend - even if Worcester are unlikely to be in generous mood. The Bees have the chance to be the only side to defeat champions Worcester in the league this season, denying them their 26th win.
24/04/2004 3PM
Sixways
(All ticket)
Probable Teams
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Bees aim to spoil the party Apr 20 2004 Birmingham Post
Pertemps Bees hope to be the party-poopers at Sixways this weekend - even if
Worcester are unlikely to be in generous mood.
The Bees have the chance to be the only side to defeat champions Worcester in
the league this season, denying them their 26th win.
It will be a mighty tall order for Ed Orgee's side.
But after a last third of the season that has been characterised by injuries and
tiredness, the Bees have had a rare weekend off.
This game also follows a 23-20 defeat to Plymouth Albion, one of their gutsiest
display in some time.
"We seemed to lift ourselves for the Plymouth game, and hopefully we can do
the same against Worcester," said Orgee.
"It would be nice to end the season on a high, because it's been quite a
season." Several of the Bees best performers - Shaun Woof, Jim Jenner and
Nathan Carter as well as Orgee - are former Warriors.
And whatever the result the Bees will have a fourth place finish to show for
their season's efforts, easily their best yet.
One player not in action for the Bees, though, will be fly-half and another
ex-Worcester man Craig Chalmers - although that comes as little surprise.
Chalmers is likely to have his contract cancelled this week after a
disappointing first season at Sharmans Cross Road.
"Things haven't gone the way I would have liked this season, both with
injuries and being away from the family," said Chalmers, who is moving back
to his Scottish family home in Melrose.
"I'm looking for something a bit nearer my home in Melrose, so it looks
like I will be finished with the Bees.
"I have been available for selection for the last two or three weeks but
I've not been picked, so it doesn't look like I am part of their future
plans."
Worcester v Pertemps Bees
(Steve McCormack)
Only one result here as Worcester look to make it 26 wins out of 26 with their final match of the season when they entertain Pertemps Bees at Sixways.
The Bees have had a great season as well with their Powergen Cup run to the Semi finals and their pre Christmas league form was outstanding but over the last few weeks they have slipped down to fourth after Plymouth’s surge in the second half of the season.
Knight Boost for Bees
Pertemps Bees have been given a timely boost ahead of their final National One game of the season at champions Worcester on Saturday April 24.
Scrum-half Paul Knight is expected to be passed fit to take his place in the squad for the first time since he cracked ribs in the Powergen Cup semi-final defeat at Newcastle Falcons six weeks ago.
Knight came through a contact training session last night and is now likely to be named as a replacement for the trip to Sixways.
Lock Rob Walton is also expected to return after he missed the draw at Manchester and defeat by Plymouth Albion with an ankle injury. Centre Mike Davies, who aggravated an ankle injury at Newcastle, is also in line to return at Worcester but his availability is still subject to a final fitness check on Thursday evening.
Form Guide:
Bees: LLLLL
Worcester: WWWWW
Players to Watch:
Daren O'Leary: Scored 18 tries this year, a very attacking winger, playing at full back.
Gavin Pfister: Also scored 18 tries, a strong flanker, with very good hands.
Craig Gillies: Massive (6ft8), will steal loads of lineout ball. Very strong with huge body power.
Comparisons:
| Discipline | Kicker's Strike Rate | Leading Try Scorer | Total Tries | Home/Away Tries | |
| Bees | 140 | 59% | 14) Dave Knight | 95 | 45 |
| Worcester | 101 | 72% | 18) Pfister/ O'Leary | 153 | 87 |
Prediction:
Bees to lose with Worcester scoring four tries and the fans enjoying their day.
Bees 12-35 Albion