Pertemps Bees might have marked Saturday's historic visit from Harlequins with a record crowd and a brave performance but according to flanker Cae Trayhern the prevailing emotion is disappointment.

The Welshman made a robust debut for his new side in the 35-9 defeat to starstudded Quins and was part of a Bees team that at times out-muscled the National One favourites up front.

But the former Pontypool skipper could not hide his frustration at the width of the losing margin and bemoaned the fact that most of the Londoners' points came from his team's mistakes.

He also censured Bees for not imposing themselves on Dean Richards' men until they had fallen 14-0 behind and for making what was an uncharacteristically timorous opening. It went on to cost them dear.

"We gave them too much respect," Trayhern said. "On reflection I think we took it a little bit easy early on.

"We allowed them to come to us because we were expecting a real hammering. When we took the game to them we disrupted them.

"There was no way they were 26 points better than us. When we were at them there was nothing in it.

"We are all disappointed. There really was nothing in it apart from our basic errors and their ability to punish our turnover ball," he added.

Trayhern was one of five men making their first competitive appearance and he stood out for his aggressive defence and bruising running.

After five minutes it appeared as though he had opened B&S's account for the season when he broke through the Quins' backline and scampered 20 yards to score by the posts.

That would have put Bees 5-0 up and unsettled the visitors but referee Martin Fox disallowed the score for crossing - much to the annoyance of director of rugby Phil Maynard who yesterday maintained the validity of a move they have worked on in training - "it's supposed to look like that," was Maynard's disgruntled observation.

Trayhern also admitted, however, that they could not match the firepower of a side who were playing Premiership rugby until four months ago.

He said: "They were just a bit more clinical in the important areas, when they generated turnover ball they put it out wide and scored easily.

"But when we had turnover it was taking just a second too long to come out that we couldn't take full advantage."

There was also some frustration at the way the ruck was refereed. National One matches are renowned for the competitiveness in that area, set against the tidier interpretation favoured by top-flight officials.

Mr Fox penalised Bees on several occasions early on and that contributed to their lacklustre opening.

Trayhern said: "In the first 20 minutes we couldn't get to grips with the way a Premiership referee was officiating the breakdown.

"In this division we are used to slowing it up a little and having more of a contest but he was making sure it was a lot cleaner - that favoured them."

But with Quins gone, and their Premiership referee with them, next Saturday's match against Plymouth Albion, another of the early pace-setters after an impressive opening-day demolition of Exeter, should be much more familiar for Trayhern.

He said: "Even though we were close to Harlequins I don't think we should get too carried away with what we can do against Plymouth.

"It will be an entirely different game. They will be more physical and will slow up the ball."

Bees expect Ed Orgee to be fit for that match despite the fact that the skipper had to leave the pitch after only three minutes following a finger in the eye.