Transfer Confirmation

By Elliott Josypenko
June 8 2004

Pertemps Bees have completed their first signing of the summer, with lock Danny Zaltzman agreeing to make the short move from Worcester. Pertemps Bees have completed the signing of prop Martin O'Keefe from Wakefield. Pertemps Bees have completed the signing of Simon Martin from Coventry.

PERTEMPS BEES SIGN O'KEEFE (May 27 2004)

Pertemps Bees have completed the signing of prop Martin O'Keefe from Wakefield.

The 26-year-old previously played for Waterloo, Leeds Tykes and Orrell before he joined Wakefield last summer.

He impressed Pertemps Bees with his performances during three meetings with Wakefield last season - two in National One and one in the Powergen Cup - and he was keen to remain in National One following Wakefield's relegation.

"He was one of the best scrummagers we faced last season and he is also a powerful ball-carrier," said Phil Maynard, the Pertemps Bees' director of rugby.

"He was looking to stay in National One and, with the recent departure of Kevin Tkachuk, he was just the ideal player to fill the gap in our squad.

O'Keefe is the third close season recruit for Pertemps Bees following lock Danny Zaltzman (Worcester) and centre Simon Martin (Coventry).

PERTEMPS BEES SIGN Martin (May 25 2004)

Pertemps Bees have completed the signing of experienced centre Simon Martin from National League One rivals Coventry.

Martin, who was released by Coventry at his own request last month, has been signed to provide experienced cover for Shaun Woof and Mike Davies, the Bees' regular centres last season.

The 29-year-old Bristolian joined Coventry three years ago from Clifton. He played 82 first team games for Bristol but then suffered a serious knee injury in a National One game at Coventry in 2000.

He spent a season with Clifton regaining match fitness after his injury.

Martin is Pertemps Bees' second summer signing following former Worcester lock Danny Zaltzman to Sharmans Cross Road.

ZALTZMAN JOINS PERTEMPS BEES (May 24 2004)

Pertemps Bees have completed their first signing of the summer, with lock Danny Zaltzman agreeing to make the short move from Worcester.

The 28-year-old former Bedford, Coventry and Saracens player was released by Worcester last month after almost four years at Sixways.

Phil Maynard, Pertemps Bees' director of rugby, beat off competition from a number of other clubs to secure the services of the former England Under-21 international.

"Danny will fit in nicely with the philosophy we have at Sharmans Cross Road," Maynard said.

"He's been a good, solid professional with Worcester and he will bring his experience to the party and help to make us an even more difficult side to beat."

Zaltzman will be in competition with Rob Walton, Alex Davidson and skipper Ed Orgee for a first team place with Pertemps Bees. His arrival co-incides with the retirement of another lock, Neil Fletcher, after three seasons with the club. Fletcher previously played for Moseley, Leicester and Sale.

TKACHUK JOINS GLASGOW (May 21 2004)

Pertemps Bees prop Kevin Tkachuk has signed a full-time contract with Glasgow.

The 27-year-old Candian international joined Pertemps Bees in December after he had won his third Blue for Oxford in the Varity Match.

He played an important part in helping the Bees secure fourth place in National One and a place in the semi-finals of the Powergen Cup for the first time and had been offered an improved part-time contract for next season.

Pertemps Bees have also released former England Under-21 prop Andy Gravil, a summer recruit from Rotherham last year, centre Chris Wilkes and winger Scott Read, who spent most of last season on loan at Rugby Lions.

NABARO RELEASED (May 15 2004)

Pertemps Bees have released former Hong Kong international utility back Luke Nabaro.

Nabaro joined Pertemps Bees from Bristol last summer and he is now expected to rejoin his former club next week.

Phil Maynard, the Pertemps Bees' director of rugby, said: "Luke had signed with us for next year but we have now decided it would be in the best interests of both the club and the player if he moved on.

"He had injury problems towards the end of last season and his form also became increasingly inconsistent."