Stage is set for Anderson Cup finals

THE Anderson Cup Super 9s will conclude with the final four round robin tournament this Wednesday at Havelock Park.

And Banbridge are right in the thick of things as one of the four finalists, alongside Cookstown, Annadale and Lisnagarvey.

They got to the finals after beating Mossley 5-0 and Kilkeel 6-0 in the first round of games under new format and it’s one that Banbridge seem to be enjoying.

Based on an idea initiated in Australia it is a first for local hockey. The format of the cup has been transformed into a fast flowing nine aside game played on a full pitch.

With each team allowed a maximum of 18 players in a squad constant substitutions ensure that the tempo of the matches remains high throughout. To date in the group matches a total of 66 goals have been scored in just 12 matches.

All matches are officiated by three umpires instead of the normal two as each side must keep at least one attacker in the opposition half at all times. Coupled to this are variations in the penalty corner and long corner rules

“I think the new format is positive and good for the game,” said Dane Ward, the Bears’ joint top goalscorer in Group A, speaking on the Anderson Cup YouTube channel.