O/T - Birmingham & Solihull (Pertemps) Bees

[andermt]

A club Wasps fans remember from years gone by has gone through some tough times but seems to hit an even worse position today.

Not sure of the full details but they were promoted to National League 2 South last season but have dropped straight back (a points deduction didn't help) to Midlands Premier, where they would have joined Broadstreet.

But they have announced today that they are withdrawing from the Midlands League and transitioning to be an amateur side. Also applying to join the Greater Birmingham Merit League.

Seems to be issues throughout all levels of Rugby which need to be sorted out before we lose a lot of great clubs.

https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/rugby/birmingham-and-solihull-bees-rugby-16386735

[baldpaul101]

Not enough players & money to keep all the current clubs in business.
When clubs that are struggling for numbers and dont have any money to buy in players, then find themselves up against clubs with rich owners, then they get spanked week after week & lose even more players.

Sadly there are too many semi pro clubs struggling to survive, most end up going fully amateur and rebuilding but those with ambition just end up having to pay to compete & then go round the cycle again.
 

[welsh wasp]

That is sad.
Long-term Wasps supporters are still struggling to forget our defeat by Pertemps at Adams Park in a cup tournament. Not one of our better performances.

[wasps]

they cost me money that day, but taught me a huge lesson about gambling.

The name always brings a wry smile to my face, and it's a huge shame to see them hitting hard(er) times

[Trevs Big Tackle]

It was a draw wasn't it? Then it turned out we fielded an ineligible player so we forfeited before the replay. No-one was too upset as the general feeling was the Bees deserved to go through anyway!

[Rossm]

24-28. Here's The Guardian report:

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2004/mar/01/rugbyunion.londonwasps

[RogerE]

and after the match Laurence issued a public apology on behalf of the team, saying it would never happen again...

[baldpaul101]

TBT, I think you are thinking of Wasps vs Bristol, Jonnie Barrett was the ineligible player I think

[Trevs Big Tackle]

Yep, got those conflated. Not sure why I thought there was a draw though!