Phil happy

By Paul Berry
November 29 2005

THE Powergen Trophy no longer runneth over for Pertemps Bees after the weekend's exit at the hands of Otley, albeit in controversial circumstances.

But even if the disallowing of a late Cae Trayhern try which could have hauled Bees level proves to be an erroneous decision, director of rugby Phil Maynard is already looking ahead to Saturday's return to league hostilities against Newbury.

Trayhern's late try, if converted, would have brought the Bees level with 13 minutes remaining, but referee Andrew Small ruled out the score after his touch judge alleged Dave Knight had twice punched an opponent off the ball.

Knight strongly refutes the allegation, insisting nothing more than words were exchanged, and the Bees tumbled out of the cup at the sixth round stage 29-22.

"We'll be having a look at the video and reviewing the situation," Maynard said of the controversy.

"But whatever we see, the game has gone now and we're out of the cup."

And that means the closing of the door on a few more valuable pounds - £8,500 to be precise - which the Bees could have picked up had they reached the next stage.

For now all roads lead back to Sharman's Cross Road and Newbury, with the Bees looking to build on their most recent league outing, a win ironically also against Otley.

"When you consider the whole season and the financial set-up of the division we're probably where we'd expect to be," added Maynard.

"The last few league games have been encouraging and in the last five we've gone into injury time at least within three points of the opposition.

"We just couldn't seem to win some for a while but hopefully we've now crossed that Rubicon by beating Otley."

Winger Allan Gill made his Bees debut at the weekend, with Maynard impressed by his "pace and potential".

Sticking with wingers, the vast experience of Nick Baxter, rested on Saturday, will be back in harness for Newbury as he continues his quest for the three tries which would take him to 150 in league rugby.

Centre Mike Davies could also be available again after three weeks out with damaged ribs.