Island winger Adam Kitching is one of several top players to have left champions Yobbos. He has joined Division One newcomers Independents. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0704932)

CENKOS YOBBOS have given up any hope of retaining their Investec Men’s Division One title after losing the services of the island’s two best players – Ben Allberry and Andy Whalley.

The pair were instrumental in Guernsey winning the national HA Trophy and Yobbos being the dominant force in local hockey last season.

Allberry has stepped down from his role as the island’s hockey development officer to pursue his dream of playing for Great Britain in the 2012 London Olympics.

The drag-flick specialist has moved to the UK to play for National League side Sevenoaks and Whalley has also upped sticks and joined Allberry at the Kent club.

Yobbos now have a mountain to climb if they are going to finish top of a league, which gets under way tomorrow and has seen one side, Investec Colombian Vets, pull out and a new outfit in Clubhouse Casuals come in with Legis Independents also re-entering the fray.

It is the first time in a number of years that the league has six sides, with Deloitte Elizabeth College in the mix as well, battling it out.

Yobbos stalwart Steve Ward admitted that the task is beyond them.

‘It’s an absolute blow losing those two,’ he said about Allberry and Whalley.