BUCKNALL JOINS PERTEMPS BEES (April 25 2007

BUCKNALL JOINS PERTEMPS BEES (April 25 2007
Pertemps Bees' head coach Steve Williams has continued to strengthen his squad for next season by signing former Coventry tight-head prop Pete Bucknall
Bucknall, 24, had his contract cancelled by Coventry in controversial circumstances earlier this season after he suffered a serious knee injury in a pre-season friendly against Toulon and then required reconstructive surgery.
But he has returned to fitness quicker than expected and signed a contract with Pertemps Bees today after he passed a mdeical at the club.
Bucknall was in Northampton's Academy when Williams, a former Wales lock, ended his playing career at the Premiership club.
Bucknall was not at Coventry when Williams coached there three years ago but he impressed Williams during a scouting trip for Northampton last season.
"I went to have a look at Soane Tonga'uiha playing for Bedford against Coventry and Pete did really well against him," Williams said.
"I knew Pete's name from his days in the Northampton Academy but he was just a young kid then. He's improved and developed a lot since then and he is a serious proposition now.
"He's the sort of tighthead that our players are going to be glad they are playing alongside and against.
"He's fully recovered from his knee injury and came through his medical today. He would like to play today if he could and he can't wait to get back into action."
Bucknall is Williams' fifth signing in recent weeks following lock Dave Campton from Coventry to Sharmans Cross Road.
Williams has also recruited the Moseley pair of scrum-half Paul Knight and winger James Aston and former Ireland Under-21 full-back Matt Williams from Stourbridge.
In addition Williams has signed up 14 members of his current squad but has confirmed the departures of flanker Akapusi Qera to Gloucester, full-back Matt Nuthall to Neath, scrum-half Mike Baxter to Bath and centre Simon Martin, who is to become player/coach at Taunton.