Colombians take charge

Friday 12th November 2010, 2:29PM GMT.

Rupert Iles of Independents gets his feet out of the way of a firmly struck Liam Roffey pass as Colombians look to attack. (Picture by Adrian Miller, 1049690)

COLOMBIANS have taken a major step towards retaining their hockey league crown with a 4-1 victory over nearest rivals Independents.

Experienced centre forward Chris Gill grabbed a hat-trick as Colombians moved three points clear of Indies in the race to the league championship.

The two sides came into the match unbeaten and level on points at the top of the table having drawn on the opening day of the season and then both taking maximum points from their other league games this season.

Colombians had edged an entertaining cup match 4-3 the week previously, but that was a match where both sides were void of their island representatives.