Unwantables aim to move within a point of the title

IT IS crunch time in the top flight. Tomorrow Coreix Unwantables meet Investec Colombians with the leaders three points clear of the 'Juniors' at the top of the table.

A win would see them go six ahead and with two games remaining against Cenkos Yobbos and Brewin Dolphin Mavericks, a draw from one of them would be enough to claim the title.

They have won the league only once before and that was back in 1993.

'It's a massive game,' said Unwantables captain John Bell.

'I am delighted that Unwantables, having finished bottom of the pile last year, are currently well placed in both the first and second divisions and hope that we can deliver on this for our sponsors.'

On the other hand, were Colombians to claim victory, they would then sit level with Unwantables to keep their title dreams alive.

Colombians skipper Luke Jager also recognised the importance of the match.

'It's a very big game and hopefully we can win,' he said.

'We've worked hard all season and hopefully our efforts can pay dividends on Saturday. It should be a very entertaining game.'

Both sides are missing key players for the clash.

Unwantables will be without tricky attacker and top table tennis player Phil Ogier who has a British League Table Tennis match in Ashford.

Young forward Josh Smith is injured and they will also have to do without left-winger Chris Curtis who is away.

Jerseyman Curtis joined the club at the start of the season.

'Chris has been a great asset for us,' said Bell.

'It's not often that a team is recognised for attacking down the left side. He makes us ambidextrous and gives us proper width.'

Colombians are missing Ollie Richards, Matt de la Mare and Guernsey captain Damian Wallen.

'They are obviously a big loss to the team, they are big players, but the players we've brought in are capable of putting in outstanding performances to be able to beat Unwantables,' said Jager.

Two major factors that have helped contribute to Unwantables' success have been the return to the island of former Guernsey captain Adie Peacegood and the goals of Rob Newton.

The island striker is the league's top scorer with 16.

Jager is full of admiration for Newton and his side.

'They've played really well and been a very solid team all season,' he said.

'They've got some very good players. Rob is the top scorer and he's a big threat.'

It has been a regular topic of conversation at the Guernsey Hockey Club about how enjoyable the new league structure has been.

After much political wrang-ling last year, which saw Jason Robilliard step down as Guernsey Hockey Association president, the men's first division was expanded to six teams.

Multiple title winners Colombians splitting their side in two to create 'Juniors' and Vets facilitated that.

'Last year saw an unfortunate end to the season with proposed changes to the league causing an amount of uncertainty and unrest among the teams,' said Bell.

'Colombians had been the dominant side for a number of seasons and it is to their considerable credit that they split their team in two for the improvement of the local game. I am sure most who have played this season, be they top of the league or lower down, will agree that this has been one of the most enjoyable and tightly contested seasons in years.

'If you look at the results, the common theme coming out is that the difference between losing or winning is often down to a single goal.'

The match starts at 11am at Foote's Lane.

Afterwards on the same pitch at 12.30, Yobbos are taking on Colombians Vets.

Yobbos mathematically still have a chance of winning the league if Unwantables mess up in their remaining matches and they will be gunning for all the points tomorrow.