Bann must get back to basics

Banbridge are back in action at Rifle Park on Saturday, taking on Blackrock (kick-off 2.30pm). Peter Cromie could be back in the line-up after a spell on the sidelines. Picture by Angus Bicker/ Presseye.com.

Bann begun the season in good form, winning three of their first four games but since then, three successive defeats, two in the Ulster Bank All Ireland League, have left them needing something to change.

This Saturday, Soper’s side host Division 2A new-comers Blackrock College, who suffered relegation from 1B last season.

Coming up against a club with a proud history in higher divisions than this, Soper says his side should be well up for the battle.

“This is the first time we’ve ever played Blackrock so I’m hoping that will mean there will be no shortage of motivation from our guys,” he said.

“They will be looking to go straight back up. They’ll be a big side and they’lll have players with a lot of talent.

“They had a tough start but have been a lot better in the last couple of games.

“We’re at the stage where we just need to focus on ourselves and doing the basics right rather than the  opposition though.

“Over the last couple of games, we have struggled to get ourselves going forward. We’ve stopped going forwards with and without the ball so we now need to get the basics right and get ourselves going.”

Banbridge have had their fair share of injury worries during their recent disappointing defeats. However, Soper is hoping that his selection headache will have eased over the past fortnight when they haven’t played a competitive game.

This weekend, Peter Cromie, Ryan Patterson, Andrew Ervine, Johnny Porter and Jonny Graham are all in contention to return.