Yellows grab tight win

Investec Colombians 3, Mosgrove's Yobbos 2

DEFENDING champions Investec Colombians passed their first test of the new season, holding on to beat a spirited Mosgrove's Yobbos side. It was by no means a classic and the umpires had cause to flash three yellow cards.

Both teams benefited from poor weather in the morning - Yobbos' Nick Chambers and Colombians' TJ Ozanne were both able to play because rain caused the postponement of their scheduled Channel Islands KO cricket final.

The first half was scrappy, though at times there was some skilful play from Chambers.

It was he who opened the scoring: the ball broke to him in the D and his reverse-stick shot beat Kees Jager's outstretched right leg.

The goal was a wake-up call for Colombians. Smart work down the right by new full back Rob Mutch saw him get behind the Yobbos back line. His pull-back found Colombians captain Damian Wallen free on the edge of the D, Wallen moved the ball to Alex Cleal and his push evaded Stuart Malley in the Yobbos goal to level the scoring.

Colombians won a handful of short corners, but unusually they did not convert any until a drag out from Matt de la Mare went straight to Ozanne rather than to the stopper. Ozanne pushed the ball to Chris Gill, bypassing the on-rushing defenders, and Gill had time to pick his spot.

Yobbos levelled almost immediately after the break through Chambers again. Colombians gave possession away in their 25 and the unmarked striker put the ball past Jager, this time with a push from his strong side.

However, Yobbos were soon down to 10 men after Craig Tiffany was yellow-carded for a clash with Matt Elston. Colombians took advantage. De la Mare carried the ball from his own half and his pass found Ozanne just inside the Yobbos 25.

Ozanne turned his marker and ran with the ball along the edge of the D before cutting in and smashing a fierce undercut past Malley into the left corner of the goal.

Chris Duncan was then yellowed for a tackle from the wrong side, reducing Colombians to 10 just as Tiffany was recalled to the pitch, thus giving Yobbos a man advantage.

However, the Colombians back line held firm; Matt Elston in particular put in a solid performance at the centre of the defence.

Ozanne was also yellowed for a clumsy challenge on Richard Veillard, which made for a tense period until he was called back onto the pitch. After he was, Colombians had a chance to make it 4-2, an unfortunate bobble denying Cleal the opportunity to bag a second.

Skipper Wallen went through one-on-one with Malley only to be denied by a diving save from the keeper to keep Yobbos in with a chance. But it was not to be Yobbos' day and the final whistle was received with a mixture of joy and relief by Colombians.

Colombians will be hard to beat this season and were really threatened only by the direct running of Chambers. Yobbos will be disappointed not to have generated more opportunities.

On this showing, both sides will be in for a good season and should push title favourites Unwantables all the way during this first league session. When Colombians' Tristan Cairns and Tim Creasey return from their travels they will add skill and grit to the midfield. Yobbos are capable of upsetting any side if they can find their best form. Chambers' goals will be vitally important and the addition of Tim Wyatt and Wayne Moore has given some needed strength in depth.