Chalmers leaves the Bees

By Sarah Tunney
April 14 2004

At the beginning of the week it was in the Scottish papers and today it has been in local press - Craig Chalmers, the Scotland and British Lions fly half looks to have finished his playing career and has parted with the Pertemps Bees.

When Chalmers came to the Bees last summer from Worcester, it has the biggest signing that the club has ever made. There was expectation that such a big name, his reputation would increase the clubs profile. Despite this season being the Bees best, it looks to have been one too many for Chalmers who hasn't played since Christmas and has only played in sever games, the last being against former club Worcester.

In hindsight fans might have realised that the end was near for Chalmers when during the Cup semi final at Newcastle he was only their as part of the commentating team for the Radio station Five Live.

Since the pre season "friendly" against Edinburgh, Chalmers has suffered a number of injuries which gave Mark Woodrow, who originally was seen as second fly half, chance to impress.  Since then Chalmers has been unable to make the starting line up.  

Chalmers reportedly told one Scottish paper "Career wise I have just finished playing for the Pertemps Bees, so I'm hoping to return to Scotland but am on the lookout at the moment for something."

The day after it then appeared in the same paper that Chalmers was connected to the Coaching job for the Professional Scottish team, Borders.  "The Borders job would be a great one to get your teeth into,"

"I've been coaching in various capacities for a while now at Glasgow, Worcester and the Bees, and I'm keen to take the next step and leave behind the playing-coaching roles and become a full-time coach."