Bees pin survival hopes on influx of new players

Jan 16 2010 by Brian Dick, Birmingham Mail

THE last throw of the squad-building dice has seen Bees add 11 new players to their ranks for what could be the most important four months in the club’s history.

With the transfer window now shut and his rebuilding phase over, player-coach Russell Earnshaw must now try to fashion a team fit to stay in the Championship – despite the fact they have not won a game all season.

The Solihull outfit will try to change that statistic at Cornish Pirates tomorrow afternoon in another match that was supposed to be played at Sharmans Cross Road.

But poor weather and their fixture backlog means for the second time in succession B&S have been forced to switch to their opponents’ ground.

Their chances of victory at Camborne, however, will be helped considerably by the return of their former captains Rob Connolly and Ben Phillips.

However, the two talismans represent just a fraction of the recruitment Earnshaw has done in recent days with Tom Foden – brother of England international Ben – and former Waikato and Rotherham No.8 Glen Remnant both on board.

Props David Orme and Mauro Sperandio have also joined as have wings Anthony Elliott and John Holtby, formerly of Stourbridge.

Elliott arrives at the club as their new commercial manager having played for Sale, Newcastle and Bristol.

Ricky Davies is back to bolster the pack as is former Moseley 2nd XV lock Will Betts.

Navy’s Greg Barden, an England Sevens international who used to play for Bristol, has also been brought in to add depth to the backline. “We’ve got some good players in our squad now,” said Earnshaw.

“But we’ve also got some boys who have grown into the jersey and will not give it up lightly.”

Of the new recruits Orme and Connolly go straight into the side to play at the Recreation Ground tomorrow.