Nel nets a brace as fun-loving Colombians defeat Mavs

Investec Colombians 3, Brewin Dolphin Mavericks 1

DESPITE just wanting to enjoy their hockey, the newly formed Investec Colombians outfit are proving that they are a force to be reckoned with as they comfortably took care of Brewin Dolphin Mavericks on Saturday. Having dominated the local hockey scene for years and in a bid to make the first division bigger and more competitive, Colombians decided to split their all conquering side into two - creating the Colombians Vets and the new Colombians side.

The Vets have taken island stars such as TJ Ozanne, Matt Elston and Kees Jager while Guernsey captain Damian Wallen and other notables including Tristan Cairns and Tim Creasey have stayed.

In their first match, the new look Colombians defeated their veteran team 3-1 before getting the better of Mavericks by the same score at Foote's Lane over the weekend.

'Very pleased to say that we're a new team this season,' said their captain, Luke Jager, about their latest victory.

'We're enjoying it and that's the important thing. That was the whole idea of splitting the teams and we had no idea that we'd win games.

'We're just enjoying it. It's a very even league so it's going to be good fun.'

Going into the match, Mavericks, who themselves are a newly formed club, were on a high after having had a surprise win over Coreix Unwantables the week before.

But they were soon on the back foot against Colombians as they went a goal down within 10 minutes of the start.

Yellows forward Jez Stubbs was the goal scorer with a back post sweeping strike that cannoned off Mavericks' captain and keeper Jason Robilliard's foot and high into the net.

Colombians had the run of play and Stubbs' strike partner Richus Nel stretched the lead five minutes before half-time.

In what was not the prettiest of efforts, the South African did enough to get the ball over the line from close range after Cairns had brought it into the D to cross it in from a tight angle.

While that might not have been the most aesthetically pleasing to the eye, the next goal certainly was as Alexis Mansell, who had looked a threat down Mavericks' left flank, produced a real corker.

On the stroke of half-time, the veteran, after being fed by the ever-combative Marc Griffiths, jinxed past a couple of would-be tacklers before unleashing a stinging strike that Matt Godfrey could not keep out.

If we are being critical of the Colombian keeper, he might have gone to ground too early.

Second half and it was more of the same as Colombians through Cairns and Wallen in the midfield bossed the proceedings.

Mid-way through the period, Colombians got their third as Nel picked off a rebound after Robilliard had pulled off another quality save.

The former island keeper was unlucky as he had managed to get something onto Nel's shot while grounded but it had enough on it to rattle the net.

Nel went on to come agonisingly close twice to notching up a hat-trick. He first hit the upright after Cairns had found him at the back post and he was hitting the woodwork again as he slammed the crossbar with a flick as the minutes were counted down.

The match finished with a short corner to Colombians and fittingly Robilliard kept out Cairns' hard flick with a diving one-handed save.

'I thought we played very well and I didn't think we deserved to be on the losing end of the game,' said Robilliard afterwards.

'Everyone played well and we kept fighting and kept smiling and that's what this club is all about. We can take a lot out of the game - a lot of positives.

'In Damian Wallen and Tristan Cairns they've got two island midfielders who obviously made it very hard and they took their chances. We're just enjoying our hockey this year.'

In the other Division One game of the day, Colombians Vets, after going one up through Ashley Northgrave, lost 2-1 to Unwantables.

A penalty flick by Rob Newton gave the light blues all the points.