Bees 19-5 Bridgend

By Elliott Josypenko
August 23 2006

Pertemps Bees continued their encouraging build-up to the new National One season by beating Welsh Premiership club Bridgend 19-5 in their final warm-up game at Portway this afternoon.

The win followed last week's victory over Blackheath and avenged a narrow defeat by Bridgend in a similar fixture at the Brewery Field 12 months ago.
The win was achieved with two tries from driving mauls scored by back-row forwards Mark George and Akapusi Qera and a third in the second half from hooker Matt Miles. Fly-half Jon Higgins added two conversions.
The game was very physical and tempers flared on occasions which led to Alex Davidson requiring stitches in a head wound and prop Terry Sigley and back-row forward Will Matthews spending time in the sin-bin.
But the performance, particularly the leadership shown by Mark Gabey after skipper Mark Cornwell came off with a rib injury, pleased head coach Steve Williams.
"I was very pleased with the way boys stood up in what was a very physical match," said the former Wales international lock.
"It was a another good work out for us and most members of the squad again got some valuable game time.
"The good thing is that although we made mistakes the players realised what the problems were and sorted them out between themselves.
" We were a little bit indisciplined at the break-downs on occasions and we over-complicated things by trying to make something good into something outstanding.
"But the players fixed them between themselves. There are still areas of our game that need refining but this was a very encouraging performance.
"I thought that Mark Gabey was excellent. When Mark Cornwell came off in the first half and he really took over and led the team by example."
Pertemps Bees first game in National One is against Bedford Blues at Goldington Road on Saturday September 2.