Local clubs hope for winning start to year

The new hockey year is due to start with a bang for Bridgnorth and Shrewsbury - with a West Midlands premier division local derby.

And host club Bridgnorth have vowed to do everything within their power to ensure the game (1.30pm) beats the big freeze.

"There obviously has to be some doubt about the game going ahead after the recent cold snap," said Bridgnorth captain James Childs.

"But we don't want to be calling games off and then having a backlog later in the season.

"We are having a meeting tonight so will see what position we are in then.

"But it could be that we have to clear the pitch and then see what the situation is.

"The good news with it being a local derby is that we can wait a bit longer to make a final decision."

Should the game go ahead, both sides will be looking to start 2010 in style as they strive for greater consistency following a topsy-turvy first half to the campaign.

"I think ourselves and Shrewsbury find ourselves in similar positions," said Childs.

"We have both had our ups and downs but we have shown we can play good hockey and we need to do it more regularly.

"It's an important game for the two teams."

The sides played out a 1-1 draw earlier in the season, and Shrewsbury captain Steve Rivett admitted Saturday's battle is far from predictable.

"We haven't played since December 12 and we have not been able to train," he said.

"I expect Bridgnorth are in the same boat and, when things are like that, it can either go one of two ways - everything can click together or things go horribly wrong.

"Hopefully everyone will come back refreshed from the Christmas break and it will be a case of new year, new start."

l Whitchurch ladies were Shropshire's only women's team due to be in league action this weekend.

But their home clash with Macclesfield in Cheshire One has been postponed due to the weather.