Tendring send Southend Sourf
'Southend 2' 0 - 3 'Tendring 2'
Report by Rob Sharman
Tendring 2 were away at Southend for there fourth match of the season, this saw Tendring taking 8 players to the hosts, consisting of team Captain Rob Sharman, John Embery, Mitch Brown, Doug Garner, Joe Cook, Gez Wordingham, Alan Kempem and Will Hart. Tendring were in possession of there new kit which was kindly purchased by Player Gez Wordingham of Heatec Engineering.
Dressed in there shiny new red and white kit, the first set commenced, Southend winning the toss and electing to serve. Southend had many players in attendance and elected to put out a very attractive all female team for the first set, which unfortunately for Tendring, with an all male team, was a very good distracting technique!
Set one, with starting nerves in abundance, the hosts served and quickly got under way with there first point. The next serve settled things down and Alan proved to be on top form with some excellent receiving and a spectacular dive, rarely matched by anyone other than Mitch. Will made a couple of impressive hits which the opposing side were unable to deal with. The set saw numerous rotations with the steady John producing some excellent setting, making it easy for the hitters to put the hosts under pressure. The Southend team fought well, producing some good returns and tipping shots, the set continued with some good volleyball coming from both sides. Tendring winning the set ** to **.
The second set saw an all male team being put on by Southend and a few minor changes to the Tendring side, with Tending serving, the set soon got under way, Southend producing some fine returns and spiking. Tendring now changing tactics, continued to block with Mitch making some splendid saves, this set saw Doug and John producing some great set pieces for the hitters. Joe continued to hit over what appeared to be some difficult serves to return, gaining Tendring some valuable points. Southend gained the initial lead, making Tendring work hard for there points. Rob
making two consecutive blocks with one hand, gaining two well needed points. The rallies continued with Tendring maintaining there lead. A substitution saw ‘Crazy Feet’ Gez make the court and start his game with some accurate serving, his serves causing the host side some difficulties. The set continued with Tendring maintaining the lead and winning the set.
The third set saw Tendring make a few changes to the team, Southend put out a similar team from the second set, Tendring now using Mitch and John as setters, after a few early errors by Tendring and a some ‘colourful’ setting by Mitch, Tendring settled down, rotations going smoothly with the gentle guidance from John. Tendring now settled and with the pressure easing off from the previous two sets, produced some good Volleyball. Southend fought well and gained some impressive points. With one point remaining to win the set, Tendring bought on Joe to make the serve
for the potential last point, Joe served a very accurate ‘float’ serve that dropped just below the net on the host side, causing the receiver a difficult shot to deal with, with the ball falling to floor, Tendring won the third and final set.
Overall, Tendring 2 are producing some good volleyball for there first season as a team, players are improving each game and they look forward to the forth coming matches.
Thanks to Southend for the match.
Essex League Div 2
