Bees Buzz

QERA SET FOR SEMI RETURN (March 19 2007)

QERA SET FOR SEMI RETURN (March 19 2007)
Fiji international flanker Akapusi Qera is set to return to action for Pertemps Bees in their EDF Energy National trophy semi-final against Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park on Saturday March 24 (3pm).
Qera sat out last Saturday's thrilling 31-27 National One win over London Welsh after he suffered a rib injury in the defeat at Doncaster the previous week.
But Pertemps Bees' medical staff are optimistic that the week's rest will allow Qera to recover from his injury and return to action at Exeter.
Canadian prop Casey Dunning is also back in contention after he played his first rugby in three months as a replacement against London Welsh.
Dunning broke an ankle in the defeat by Sedgley Park in December but he came off the bench last Saturday and is likely to feature in the squad at Exeter having shown no reaction to his injury.
Captain and lock Mark Cornwell sat out the London Welsh game after he played a full 80 minutes for the Barbarians in their defeat by East Midlands at Bedford last Wednesday. He will also be available for selection against Exeter.
But flanker Dan Tuohy will not be considered for the semi-final. Tuohy was due to make his return to action after two months out with a knee injury against London Welsh. The Ireland Under-21 international was initially named as a replacement for that game but was withdrawn from the bench on Saturday.
"Dan's knee is still not quite right and he will not be in the squad for the semi-final," said Steve Williams, Pertemps Bees' head coach.
Hooker Stewart Pearl, the other long-term casualty, will also miss the semi-final. Pearl broke a thumb at Rotherham in late January and is still around three weeks away from playing again.