Lenny's record target

By Elliott Josypenko
July 19 2004

Pertemps Bees' latest recruit Lenny Woodard has backed himself to score at least 18 tries for the Pertemps Bees next season.

The Wales rugby league international has a reputation as a free-scoring winger and Phil Maynard, the Bees' director of rugby, intends to hold him to his confident prediction of reaching a target would be a new league try record at Sharmans Cross Road.

"Lenny has been a proven try-scorer in Wales for a number of years," Maynard said. "He now wants to play in England and he has promised me that he will score at least 18 tries for us next season.

"With that sort of confidence and approach I decided that he was a player well worth signing.

We need an experienced and quality try-scorer to replace Luke Nabaro and Mike Davies, who played against him for Caerphilly, rates him as probably the best winger in the Welsh Premier Division."

Woodard will become the Bees' second close-season capture from Welsh rugby after former Newport winger Scott Williams.

In becoming the Welsh National Leagues record try scorer last season, Lenny displayed the talents that had seen him enjoy a top-flight career with Ebbw Vale, London Welsh and Pontypridd. Having toured South Africa with Wales in 1998 and previously played for Wales Rugby League and Great Britain students rugby league team his power and pace was a major asset in last years drive for success.

Total League and Cup Points 272 (54 tries, 1 conversion)

Off-the-pitch the Bees will announce a profit of £24,514 at the club's annual meeting on Thursday evening. That represents a significant turnaround in the club's financial position as they reported a loss of £216,427 last year. The improved financial position is largely explained by increases of £100,000 in commercial revenue and of £33,000 in matchday receipts.