WEM2 open up division with first game

The men's second team started their league campaign with the toughest of challenges, facing the four-time winners and reigning champions ULU.

Coach Carlos JOHNSON started the game with a tall line up, with himself, at setter, being the only person under 1.95m. With Eagles winning the right to serve, England Junior and GB player, Dammy BAKARE put pressure on the ULU receive immediately with some very heavy jump serving. Combined with the large block, which stopped their hitters from scoring with their normal ability, helped to keep ULU on the back foot and let WE take a 6-1 lead before the first time out of the game. With WE buoyed by the score, the team were on their toes and a number of good pick-ups, particularly from JOHNSON, kept Eagles ahead. However, it is never wise to relax against ULU as their record shows, and National League 1 player Boris HALATCHEV put the White Eagles passing unit under pressure with his serve forcing a change on JOHNSON which saw the use of libero player Fabio ANTONIAZZI for the first time. This settled Eagles back down but the damage was done, with ULU taking the lead 14-12. Having surrendered the lead, Eagles were determined to come back but the experience of their opposition told with ULU winning the set 25-23.

The second set started with David JENKINSON coming on to add experience for the pass and the teams traded points until 7-8. At this point, with Eagles having their strongest backcourt at the same time as their tallest frontcourt, JOHNSON put ULU under pressure with penetrating serves. With most of their attacks being blocked, ULU opted to tip the ball but this threat was dealt with to help Eagles extend to an 11-8 lead. With the lead secured, Eagles were again able to trade and service round later sealed the set 25-19.

Having equalled last years result of securing a set against the reigning champions, M2 hoped to press on and take the game to ULU. However, ULU were not about to give the game up easily and came out fighting in the third. An efficient display of ULUs volleyball ability saw them draw out to a quick lead. Despite the steady passing, particularly from ANTONIAZZI, WE were unable to convert their chances and more importantly, the block, which had previously been so solid, now seemed unable to stop the ULU attack. An attempt to change the pace of the game, with Heri RANDRIANARISON replacing Chris BETTIS, failed to stop the slide and ULU powered to a 25-13 set win.

Eagles were keen to not repeat the failings of the previous set and the frustrations from the level of play were channelled into the more positive task of getting back to the volleyball from the first two sets. In a tense affair the lead kept changing ends with ULU going 4-1 up only for WE to pull back to 9-6. A time out by ULU saw coach JOHNSON call for Eagles to trade for the remainder of the set, a possibility given the quality of the pass and attacking options available. Wolfram LANGE was key to the change, with he and RANDRIANARISON freezing the ULU middle blocker and allowing the outside hitters of Brendan BECK and BAKARE a open court. However, the Eagles team weren't satisfied with just trading and extended their lead to take the set 25-17 and take the game to a deciding fifth set.

A win was in sight for Eagles and the tension showed as they took to the court for the final time. After the teams shared the points early in the set, the visitors greater experience started to tell as they drew ahead to 9-6 and switched ends in the lead. However, the change of ends, combined by the reintroduction of RANDRIANARISON seemed to inspire WE and a run of serves brought the teams back level at 10 all. As the tension built in the hall, neither team wanted to lose and this resulted in some effective side out volleyball with no chance given to the defence. The advantage was with ULU who were going ahead each side-out with Eagles playing catch-up but then BAKARE stepped up to serve. As he had done in the first points of the first set, the 18 year old jump served with sufficient power that the ULU receive were unable to deal with it and gave Eagles the side out advantage. This continued to 13 all where Eagles won the side out to take them to match point but ULU were not beaten yet and scrambled defence saw the match point defended and the game turned around to their favour at 15-14. It was now Eagles turn to defend a match point which they did with a powerful hit from off setter Radu CINPOES, giving himself the opportunity to serve. A ULU hitting error gave WE another match point and this time they made no mistake and converted it to take the set 17-15 and the match 3-2.

This result, besides being a real scalp for the team, throws the division wide open and offers the club the best opportunity yet to take the title. No pressure!

WEM2 beat ULU 3-2 (23-25, 25-19, 13-25, 25-17, 17-15)

SQUAD

Fabio ANTONIAZZI (Libero)
Dammy BAKARE
Brendan BECK
Chris BETTIS
Radu CINPOES
David JENKINSON (Captain)
Carlos JOHNSON (Coach)
Wolfram LANGE
Roger MULLINGS
Heri RANDRIANARISON

MAN OF THE MATCH

A really tough decision around three players who all played well:

ANTONIAZZI was really solid in the pass and gave the team a steady platform to build the attack from, JOHNSON had an excellent defensive game, leading the team with his pick-ups and CINPOES had a good all round game at the net with his blocking and hitting.

Given that it appears that I have already been relegated to the bench this year and his obvious desire to win it (not to mention the threats if he didn't), the voting committee has been swayed in the direction of:

Carlos JOHNSON


Thanks to Brian for scoring, Geri for 2nd refereeing (and accepting the abuse- or at least not walking out) and everyone else who turned up to watch (particularly W3 who were the best represented team). Also, good to see Janusz back- do you feel the itch?