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It was billed to be a tight contest but Garvey never gave their opponents a chance to get into their stride, with a scintillating display of open attacking hockey and some superbly designed goals.

There was not a weak link in a Garvey team which was obviously ’up for the game’ and from the first whistle to the last they completely controlled the match, giving Banbridge no time on the ball and always looking for the attacking option.

The demolition of the league leaders began as early as the 5th minute when Mark Raphael was upended in the Bann circle and Timmy Cockram converted the resulting penalty stroke without hesitation.

With the home side taking command, goal number two came only 4 minutes later. A good run by Jason Lynch led to his cross being met by Peter MacDonnell and he was able to guide the ball past the groping Lennox in the Bann goal.

Two goals ahead inside the opening ten minutes, Garvey maintained their pressure never letting Banbrige get any pattern of play and in the 22nd minute they increased their lead to three. It was probably the goal of the match; Jason Lynch linked up with Mark Raphael and the midfielder slipped a superb pass to Timmy Cockram who beat the advancing Lennox with his reverse shot. Bann did respond with their first penalty corner in the 25th minute but John Tormey was able for the Stephen Dowds drag flick and Garvey returned to the attack with a great 40 yard run by Daniel Nelson just being halted deep into the Bann circle.

A poor clearance by the Garvey defence led to Bann’s second penalty corner in the 29th minute and this time Stephen Dowds gave his team a life line with a vicious flick which beat Tormey for pace.

Garvey, even after the goal, did not relax and in the 33rd minute restored their three goal advantage when, after a good Johnny Quigley run which earned a penalty corner, Timmy Cockram beat Lennox with a brilliant low flick into the bottom corner of the net and at the interval Garvey were well and truly’ in the box seat’ with the score at 4-1.

Everyone in the rain battered ground was expecting Banbridge revival as the second half started and they immediately forced a set piece which saw the ball cannon off Tormey’s stick and then the cross bar before being moved to safety and the resumption of Garvey pressure which saw both MacDonnell and Andy Williamson go close to adding to the score.

Garvey’s 3rd penalty corner of the game was probably the sealing of the points as Timmy Cockram again beat Lennox, this time low to his right taking his team to a more than comfortable 5-1 lead after 45minutes.

In the 48th minute, Bann did pull another goal back with a well placed drag flick by Dowds but they had no sooner reduced the score to 5-2 when Garvey, after a wasted penalty corner of their own, worked the ball through the Bann defence courtesy of Cockram and Raphael before Raphael slipped goal number six past the helpless Lennox.

The Garvey support could hardly believe their eyes when Garvey, instead of being content with their leading margin, again pierced the very brittle Bann defence in the 57th minute and Peter MacDonnell put the finishing touch to the move with his second goal and Garvey’s 7th.

Just to put the icing on the cake, Jason Lynch ended the rout of Banbridge when he scored with a wicked reverse stick shot across Lennox in to the far corner in the 62nd minute and with a staggering end of game score of 8-2, their day was complete.

The result leaves Garvey just a point behind the still leaders Banbridge but they have the vital game in hand for the run in which could prove more than interesting.

A great performance by a Garvey team which excelled on the day with everyone contributing but mention must be made of Richard Arneill, Sean Murray and Jason Lynch who were outstanding.

The result of the match must have done wonders for the confidence of the Garvey team and it remains for them to complete a ‘Christmas double’ when they face Annadale in the Kirk Cup final on Boxing Day at Comber Road. They will start favourites but will have to be wary of the young, battling Annadale side which upset all the odds when they defeated Banbridge in the semi final.

The game starts at 3.45pm on Thursday after the Ladies final in what could be a great holiday feast of hockey at Comber Road.

Garvey;s team: John Tormey, Steven Arbuthnot, Jonny Bell[capt], Johnny Quigley, Richard Arneill, Daniel Buser, Jason Lynch, Peter MacDonnell, Andy Williamson, Mark Raphael, Timmy Cockram, Greg Thompson, James Lorimer, Sean Murray, James Dowling, Daniel Nelson.