Colombians are favourites to take honours again

IF THE men's Division One season comes even close to the drama of 2004-5, it will be another cracker. With the league split into two campaigns, the pre-Christmas winners, Tigers, played the post-Christmas champions, Investec Colombians, in a title decider.

They couldn't be split and it took a nerve-jangling penalty-stroke shoot-out before Colombians claimed the silverware and broke Tigers' hearts.

Tigers had won the first campaign, a comfortable six points clear of Clubhouse Unwantables, with Colombians third.

But Damian Wallen's yellows hit back in the second campaign, finishing six points ahead of Mosgrove's Yobbos, who pushed Tigers into third on goal difference.

All four teams had the ability to beat each other, as evidenced by their swapping positions in the two campaigns. This season is unlikely to be any different.

Tigers have morphed back into Beavers and are now sponsored by Isabel's.

They have made several good signings, none more so than Andy Whalley, who stood out at the Four Islands Tournament.

His pace, ability, awareness and commitment are a huge boost to both Beavers and Guernsey.

Up front, Jonathan Wilkes-Green has already given early indications of his goal-scoring ability.

'The season's ambition, apart from aiming to win the league, is to consolidate and develop as a club,' said team captain Mark Babbe, the island midfielder.

'We want to give the second-teamers a chance to improve and progress and we want to bring new blood to the club.'

If Beavers could keep their strongest XI playing all season, they would be very close to the title. But losing players to Elizabethans when the students join the league after Christmas will hit them badly, as will the departure to Cayman in December of defender Phil Reid.

That will leave Colombians favourites for the title.

With island players in every department and a strong second side, the yellows are best placed to retain the league trophy. Wallen and Tristan Cairns are a fine central-midfield pairing and the team have the handy habit of spreading the goals around.

Unwantables need just a touch more consistency and they can be thought of as realistic title challengers, especially with Jamie Chambers' defensive ability complemented by Adam Kitching's attacking prowess.

For Yobbos, Nic Chambers found scoring pretty easy last season and he will undoubtedly continue in that vein when he returns from Suburban Nedlands City Hockey Club in Australia.

'We're looking to play quality hockey again in the right spirit,' said Yobbos captain Steve Ward.

'We want to avenge the cup-final defeat of last season and hopefully win the second half of the season. The timing of Nic's return will make the difference between Yobbos winning silverware and being bridesmaids.'

Mark Ball and Julian Hurley return from university to add some youth to the experience of the Veillard brothers, Richard and Tony.

Rebel Alliance face another tough season and though they are likely to finish in the bottom third, they will not be pushovers for any opponents, especially with Aaron Scoones in goal: his reputation as a decent shot-stopper grows with every game.

After Christmas, Elizabethans enter the league in earnest. They are always a talented bunch, as has been shown by the number of OEs playing top flight and island hockey.