Both men's and women's champions remain unbeaten

The youngster’s strikes, which came either side of half-time, helped Casuals to a come-from-behind 4-1 victory over Indies in the first game of a Men’s Division One double-header that culminated in champions Yobbos requiring a last-minute equaliser against Colombians to preserve their unbeaten record.

But it was de la Mare who stole the show in the lunch-time encounter after Indies had made a strong start.

Adrian Gidney had already been called upon to make a smart save from Louis Steyn in the opening exchanges before the men in orange took the lead in the 10th minute when Brad Norman’s persistence paid off.

The Island squad member patiently retained possession of the ball as he looked for a way into the D and, once there, he unleashed a shot that took a deflection off a defender’s stick before finding the net.

Josh Kendal came close to doubling the lead just two minutes later, but his shot was just the wrong side of the post and gradually Casuals started to get a foothold in the match.

They earned a couple of penalty-corners in quick succession and although they did not capitalise directly from them, they maintained the territorial advantage for a couple more minutes and when Indies failed to clear another ball into the D, David Morris thumped it home to equalise.

After Gidney had saved an Alex Setters drag-flick from Indies’ next short-corner, Casuals took the lead just before half-time in sensational style.

It was a goal made at Elizabeth College, with Cameron Rivers-Moore spotting the run of his teammate and picking him out with an aerial over the top of the defence and de la Mare applied a sumptuous first-time lobbed finish over the out-rushing Rob Turville, giving the keeper no chance.

It was much the same story five minutes into the second half when de la Mare notched his second. This time, though, after being set up by Andy Whalley’s good work down the right, the teenager went for power and he caught his drive perfectly with the ball rocketing past Turville in a flash.

Casuals were buoyant and soon they made it four.

Whalley was again involved, this time weaving his way through several opponents before squaring the ball across the face of goal for Morris to tap in his second of the game.

De la Mare was denied a hat-trick 13 minutes from time when Turville made a fine save and the keeper also blocked a Rivers-Moore volley in the later stages of the game, while Gidney also pulled off a good stop at the other end.

By then, though, Casuals were home and dry.

In the second top-flight game of the day, Yobbos twice went a goal down to Colombians before salvaging a point.

Having lost 6-1 to the same opposition a week earlier, a stronger Colombians side posed a different proposition for the champions and Zak Damarell put his side ahead in the first half.

Guernsey midfielder Jonny Clark levelled the score before half-time, but 10 minutes after the turnaround Sam Dawes hammered home a low drive at a short-corner to give the yellows the advantage once more.

Chances continued to come at both ends, with Colombians keeper Tom Judd making important saves to deny George Le Roux and Matt Stokes, while his opposite number Dan Brown pushed one Tim Ravenscroft strike past the post.

With Yobbos getting desperate for another goal in the closing stages, Tristan Cairns pushed forward from defence and he won a short-corner in the 69th minute which his teammates then made count.

Stokes switched it right to Kevin Smith, who returned the favour to find Stokes once more and he swept the ball home.

In the Alliance Women’s League, a half-time pep talk did the trick as champions Panthers overturned a one-goal deficit to beat Indies Ladies 3-1.

Tash Symes had given the oranges the lead in a first half in which they could have scored more, but after the turnaround Panthers were much-improved and a hat-trick from Mali Smith gave her side all three points.

Colombians Puffins are next up for Panthers this coming Saturday in a top-of-the-table clash with the yellows having beaten Cubs 7-1 last weekend.

Katherine Bushell scored a hat-trick for Puffins and there were two goals for Becky Hubbard as well as one apiece for Wilmari Smit and Liza Sayer.