McCullough Cup Group Game – 1st XI vs Royal and Prior.  Report by Peter McKnight.  Before the All Ireland Tournament begins, Banbridge Academy 1st XI had to fight off a well-drilled and valiant Royal and Prior side in what was a must-win game. However, throughout the first 10 minutes a somewhat stunned Academy side found themselves under immense pressure from a quick-starting Royal and Prior side. Unfortunately for the Banbridge men, they found themselves 2-0 down after 15 minutes. Nevertheless, it didn’t take long for the highly-favoured Banbridge side to play some smooth and flowing hockey, especially down the right-hand side, with Kyle Marshall in particular causing mayhem in the Raphoe defence; and it was that man just a few minutes later pulling a goal back for the Academy with a solo run from his own defensive area to find space on the top of the circle and smash home a thunderous reverse into the bottom right-hand corner. With all Banbridge tails up, it didn’t take long for them to be back on level terms when a well-worked move including Andrew Bennington, Joel Reid and Mark Barlow found its way to Nathan Liggett who beat his man easily and swiftly finished passed the keeper in style. The second half saw a re-energised Academy side take to the field in search of the goal that would take them ever so closer to a McCullough cup semi-final and they didn’t have to wait long as Jake Rowe found the bottom corner with a tremendous drag flick from a well-worked short corner. Jake Rowe then doubled his tally for the day by easily dispatching yet another drag flick, ripping it into the top right-hand corner of the goal. The defensive line, including Andrew Bennington, James Anderson and Mark Adair, held firm throughout the second half, not allowing the Donegal outfit even a sniff of a chance at goal; whilst up front Peter McKnight and Joel Reid worked tirelessly to create opportunities for the rest of the team. Great play from Charlie Norris and Kyle Marshall down the right-hand side led to the Academy’s fifth goal of the day with Kyle showing off his outstanding flair and finesse on the ball to square a ball across goal for a waiting Joel Reid to finish easily. Dylan Cowan and Callum Gibson brought extra energy into the attack, whilst young blood entered the fray in the form of Philip Campbell and Ryan Sims, each having a positive impact on the game. With five minutes left to play, Jake Rowe grabbed his hat-trick and the Academy’s 6th and final goal of the day. Overall, a pleasing performance from the men in red and they will be looking to carry on this form to the All-Ireland tournament in Belfast next week. Special thanks to sponsors The Belmont Hotel.