Bees Present Rescue Plan To RFU + Earnshaw Speaks Out

Birmingham & Solihull have this week presented a plan to the RFU which they hope will stave off the threat of closure as they face re-paying a massive tax bill by the end of the month.

The board at Sharmans Cross Road hope to be allowed to liquidate the current company and re-form with backing from an interested investor. This would more than likely land them with an immediate 15-point deduction in the Championship but would allow them to continue playing.

Further details are expected to emerge as the week progresses.

Full story.. www.birminghampost.net

Bees player/coach Russell Earnshaw has given an insight into the problems he faces in an article on the club’s website.

He said,

“Off the field, the support of the fans has been crucial. Our own fans helping out in all aspects - from paying for the team bus to Bedford, to collecting on a match-day to putting up me and Eugene and feeding us on a regular basis (thanks Sue) - has been very humbling.

Indeed, the support we have received from the majority of other clubs, their fans and their players has also been fantastic for the boys.

The only exception to this has been two Championship clubs who vetoed us having a small amount of our RFU money paid now to help the players and staff out…I play rugby because it is a ‘family’ game and I strongly disagree with this kind of behaviour.

I have taken time out to pass on my feelings to the two clubs involved…as I said though, you find out a lot about people when the chips are down…”

Earnshaw also lists the recent player departures from the club.

Full story.. www.beesrugby.com

Maynard – Cov Deserve Their Success

Coventry director of rugby Phil Maynard has told the Coventry Evening Telegraph of his relief after watching his team win at Doncaster Knights.

He said,

“I said to them in the final preparations before the Doncaster match that a team which works as hard as we do cannot continue not getting something out of matches.”

“The key thing is trying to keep doing that hard work and being patient. Winning up there only proves that and makes sure our confidence can grow.”

The Midlanders responded to late heartache against Moseley by gringding out a victory at the winless Knights and with Nottingham now due at the Butts Park Arena on Friday night, Maynard believes his side have turned a corner.

He continued,

“It was always going to be touch and go how we would react to what were difficult circumstances against Moseley. Then to play a must-win game and win it shows that the side have responded well.”

Full story.. www.coventrytelegraph.net

Arscott Praises His Pack

Bristol full-back Luke Arscott has told the Evening Post that Sunday`s win at a rainswept Camborne has washed away the memories of defeat against Exeter Chiefs.

Arscott, who scored the opening try against the Pirates, paid tribute to his forwards and said,

“They gave us a great platform throughout the game and I was just thankful to get on the end of the last pass. We owe the forwards. In those sort of conditions, you can't play without a decent pack – and fortunately for us this season we've got a very good one.

The boys really fronted up against Pirates. The line-out went really well and hopefully we can carry that on for the rest of the season."

He added,

“Camborne is a tough place to go and we didn't expect the bonus point. Pirates are always a good side at home, so we're pleased to have gone there and picked up five points."

Full story.. www.thisisbristol.co.uk

Knights Duo In Disciplinary Hearing

Doncaster Knights have received a boost with the news that flanker Adam Kettle will face no further sanction following his dismissal against Nottingham on October 3rd.

At an RFU Disciplinary Committee hearing on Monday it was deemed that Kettle, who received two yellow cards in the match, had been punished sufficiently through being sent from the field.

However Doncaster wing Chris Briers, who was sent off for striking an opponent in the same match, has been suspended for one week. He can resume playing again on October 20 th and will miss his club’s trip to Plymouth Albion on Saturday.

Chiefs Lose Tui Until Christmas

Exeter Chiefs prop Hoani Tui faces up to two months on the sidelines after breaking his arm against London Welsh on Saturday.

The 25 year-old New Zealander fractured his left forearm in the 13-9 victory and Head Coach Rob Baxter told the Express & Echo,

“It's not the worst injury to have at this time of year as Hoani should be over the injury and fully fit post-Christmas.”

"Hoani didn't get much of a break in the summer after his season finished late at Calvisano, so this is a chance for him to have a bit of a rest and that has got to be a good thing.”

"When he's had that break we can get him back in, work on his rehab and get him back up playing again. It's not the end of the world but it is disappointing because he was playing so well.”

Full story.. www.thisisexeter.co.uk/rugby

Albion – Clark's Injury Not Serious

Plymouth Albion expect hooker Joe Clark to be fit for the visit of Doncaster Knights at the weekend after news that a shoulder injury sustained at Moseley on Saturday is not as bad as first feared.

Clark left the field early in the second half at Billesley Common but chairman of rugby Graham Dawe told the Herald, “His shoulder is bruised, but not severely and so we expect him to be okay for this weekend."

Full story.. www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/albion