Tigers within sight of first-stage win

ONLY Clubhouse Unwantables can now mathematically prevent Tigers from claiming the first stage of the Investec Men's League Division One. However, the red-and-blacks need to win all their matches and hope that Tigers only draw two more.

In the latest round, Mosgrove Yobbos ended Investec Colombians' hopes of the title, only the blue-and-whites' third win of the season.

In Nic Chambers, they have the most dangerous front man in Guernsey at present. He was always a threat to Colombians' back line: his pace and skill took him into dangerous positions time and again. However, often without support from team-mates, he perhaps tried to take on too many defenders and often ended up shooting from difficult angles.

The goals for Yobbos were scored by Chambers and Steve Ward, with Jon Seymour grabbing the consolation for Colombians.

The match saw five players sin-binned by the umpires. It was not a dirty game, but due to the competitive nature of the encounter, players regularly got themselves into hot water by making comments to the umpires out of turn.

In the second of last Saturday's matches, Tigers continued their unbeaten run with a 7-0 defeat of Investec Colombians Rebel Alliance.

The scoreline was perhaps a little harsh on the Rebels who enjoyed good spells of possession without really threatening Tigers' experienced back line.

Tigers keeper Jason Robilliard was called into action only at short corners, pulling off a neat save from an Alex Cleal flick.

At the other end it was much different: Andy Bell gave Tigers an early two-goal lead although there was some confusion as to whether he actually got a touch on the first.

There was no disputing his second. He neatly turned in a cross from the right having got in front of his marker.

Bell went on to collect four goals, with Spencer Noyon, Pierre Moody and Mark Babbe claiming the others.

A plus point for both sides was the spirit in which the match was played: there were no cards issued by the umpires as both teams got on with playing rather than arguing with the officials.

The next day Yobbos could have handed the title to Tigers by beating Unwantables, but it was not to be as Yobbos put in a disappointing performance.

Many of their players looked a little jaded following the match against Colombians the previous day and unusually they often squandered possession.

The result kept Unwantables' league hopes alive. Andy Alford opened the scoring for them with a short-corner strike, Adam Kitching added a second and Jamie Chambers hit the third before half-time.

In the second half, Nic Chambers converted from the penalty spot for Yobbos, having won a flick following a challenge from his brother, Jamie, defending for Unwantables.

Again there were a flurry of yellow cards, as three were issued in the first half, one for a bad tackle and two for dissent - players are learning the hard way that they cannot speak out of turn or use bad language on the pitch.

Unwantables will have been glad to come out of a poor game of hockey with three points in the bag. Even if they do not win the league this session, they will be looking to clinch second place ahead of Colombians.