My plan on Saturday was to make a day of it in Banbridge with the clubs U18 game against Virginia at 11:30 followed by Banbridge Hockey Women in their Irish cup game at 13:00 before picking up this game at 14:30. Unfortunately the first two games were cancelled at late notice so I spent my first couple of hours in Banbridge keeping out of the biting cold wind by napping in my car!

It’s been a while since I’ve made the trip to Rifle Park and unfortunately Banbridge haven’t faired too well in that time, stuck at the bottom of AIL 1B and still waiting for their first win in the All Ireland League this season. They haven’t been hammered by any side but have struggled to pick up the wins, however their closest game this season was last week’s one point loss to Malone at Gibson Park.

Highfield, on the other hand, have continued where they left off before lockdown and were sitting top of the league, with 6 wins from 6 . . .