Newmarket Volleyball Club

Mens National League 3E
Sunday 23rd Sept 2007

v
Watford Danes
Dartford

NVC fully expected a tough opener against last years relegated division 2 outfit, Watford Danes and improving Dartford.

The season opener had been eagerly awaited, and Newmarket made a good steady start keeping within a point of the home side up to 16 all before things went awry. Despite tactical changes and time-outs, the set was quickly over in Danes favour.

The second set saw Ben Child dishing out some good attacking shots to earn the points needed for Newmarket to get back into the game. The Domino's kept their heads up and levelled the match at 1 set apiece.

In the third set, Newmarket fell apart, poor passing leading to a seven point deficit. Debutant, JP Davis, started to apply pressure with a jump serve creating problems for the home side. POints which undoubtably went towards earning him the coveted MVP award. This inspired the rest of the team and all members upped their game to steal the set and go 2-1 up.

The fourth set was started at a better level and should have seen the game put to bed. Strong attacking from Pete Saunders and Paul Freeman kept Domino's in the lead, albeit by a slim margin, until the rot set in and a lack of concentration allowed Danes to level the score.

The fifth and final set could have gone either way, Charles Reed and Pete Gale keeping up a good level of performance but as a team not quite the level required to clinch the set and despite leading 10-6, the Danes powered home to sneak the match 3-2. An opportunity missed, but a sure sign that with a little improvement, the team could challenge in the top half.

MVP - JP Davis

The second game was against last years twice beaten Dartford VC, and Newmarket were first out of the blocks rompingt away to 13 points to 3 before Dartford started to join in. Ben Child serving 11 straight points and all round top performances from all on court allowed Newmarket Domino's a comfortable first set.

Dartford dramatically improved their game for the second set by the same degree that Newmarket relaxed theirs. Far too many errors allowed what we thought to be a weaker side dominate the play and the second set went to Dartford.

Another laclustre set saw Dartford handed far too many points through the fault of a weary Newmarket side. Mistakes in defence and the usually strong attacking play resulting in making what should have been a three nil victory a very hard game indeed.

Stepping up a gear, the fourth set saw Newmarket Domino's trying harder, not wanting to travel back without a win. JP again serving well and playing some good ball from some reckless setting. Rob Dovaston setting the block stopping Dartford's big hitter from scoring points and put Newmarket back in the game at 2 sets each.

The fifth set started well for Newmarket, Dartford now a little off put by their come back in performance falling behind. The Domino's then seemed to get over nervous at the thought of taking the set and victory, and again allowed errors into their game and before they could do any more had lost their second game of the day, showing that had they been more consistent they could have won in three sets before fatigue crept in.

MVP - JP Davis