Newmarket Volleyball Club

Suffolk Cup - Semi-final
Thursday 10th April 2008

v

Stowmarket

Having already lost to Stowmarket this season twice in the national league and once in the Suffolk / Essex league Newmarket new they were up against it as the handicap system based on last seasons league positions gave Stowmarket a 2 point lead in each set.

The first set saw Newmarket fall further behind very quickly and were disposed of by a fluent Stow side who showed that they were out to continue their recent dominance of Newmarket.

However Newmarket started the second set without feeling defeatist, and with new coach Rob Dovaston on the side new plays were run with Nik (guns) Mesanov and setter Ben Child. Newmarket ahead and Stow stunned into virtual silence by the away sides dramatic improvement, Newmarket could do no wrong and extinguished the set with great pride.
The third set saw Newmarket grow even stronger, JP Davis serving created problems for Stow and Pete Gale picked up the majority of loose balls to keep the Newmarket dominance flowing. The second set was again easily in the bag.

The fourth set started with a significant increase in errors for an over buoyant Newmarket side, Pete Gale switched off and blasted the ball into the back wall, serving errors crept in and the whole atmosphere e clouded over and despite Charles Reed's best efforts to play some soft hits into the spaces Newmarket were again stuffed.

The deciding set only played to fifteen again started with Newmarket 2 points behind, a huge disadvantage, but the team spirit of old re-appeared and the never say die attitude of Paul Freeman spurred the team into what must be their best come back of the season. Hitters found their range again and Ben Child continued to vary the attacking plays. Blocks started to restrain the Stow side and at the half way point the away side held the lead, which continued into the second period. Relentless pressure gave Stow no leeway and Newmarket secured their place in another cup final.