Tendring 2 went into their 3rd game of the season against Brentwood Bombers full of confidence on the back of the 3-0 victory against Chelmsford 2 however once again due to various other commitments enforced changes had to be made giving the team a much different look and set up. 

The enforced changes appeared to unsettle the new look team in the opening set, with both teams making a number of unforced errors leading to a scrappy opening exchange. With both teams continuing to side out it was the Brentwood Bombers who settled into their rhythm first and as their confidence grew they opened up an 18-12 lead which proved too much for Tendring as they eventually lost the opening set 25-15.

Coach Porter hauled his team off for the inevitable hair dryer treatment and before the restart made some changes, with Darren Deex coming into set and Alan Kempen coming into the attack. The tactical changed proved decisive and a more upbeat Tendring took the 2nd set by storm, with Dan Saunders and Mitch Brown linking up well through the outside to power into a 10-5 lead. Tony Sharman was introduced at 11-6 and made an instant impact through the middle with some well placed shots. There was a new found confidence about the team and despite the Bombers calling a time out at 24-18 there was no way back as Tendring closed out the set. The 3rd set proved much the same, with Darren Deex and Dan Saunders continuing to find Brown and Kempen through the outside. Will Hart was continuing to work the opposite middle blocker and some good attack work saw both Mitch Brown and Darren Deex punishing the Bombers defence. Jez Wordington replaced Will Hart at 19-13 and his confidence gradually grew as the set went on. Mitch Brown continued to demonstrate his all round ability with some great defensive work and the team closed out the set impressively at 25-21.

Tendring started the 4th set with much the same line up that finished the 3rd, with Rob Sharman replacing his brother Tony. Once again the unforced errors returned and the game became scrappy, with both teams continuing to side out. With the Bombers finding glaring gaps in the Tendring defence they found themselves edging ahead without having to produce outstanding volleyball. Despite Will Hart replacing Jez Wordington at 20-17 this would not stop the Bombers from forcing a 5th and final set as they closed out the 4th 25-21.

During the brief interval the team was understandably disappointed with their display in the 4th but following a rousing talk from coach Porter took to the court with the emphasis being on risk and reward. This new found philosophy appeared to reap immediate dividends with some excellent serving from Alan Kempen racing Tendring into a 5-0 lead. With their tails up Tendring went for the kill but through some wild attacking play and poor defensive work again found Bombers clawing their way back into the game, with the latter overturning the score to 11-10. Porter called a time out, which provided the team the opportunity to forget the apparent collapse, regain their composure and close out the set. Following a good service run by Darren Deex, Tendring found themselves at match point 14-13. The Bombers return went high into the air and Dan Saunders seized the opportunity to smash the ball back onto their 3 metres line and send the home team into a loud roar. 

Tendring will have gained a huge amount of experience and learning from this match, which will stand them in good stead for the rest of the season. Next stop, Exiles, aka Essex Police.