NVL Men - Dartford(A) Match Report 2009-10

Tendring V.C. 3 - 0 Dartford V.C.

25-10, 25-18,25-23

Report by Alex Porter

Tendring Win Second Game of Season

After their first performance Tendring were fully revved up and ready for Dartford. Masters selected the same starting line up of: Masters, Widlarz, Davies, Dove, Jones, Chinnery and the game started almost the same as the match versus Brentwood. With Widlarz serving, Masters hitting well and Chinnery blocking well Tendring took a 7-0 lead, forcing Dartford to call a time out. After the time out Widlarz scored one more point from his serve before a service error gave Dartford an chance but they didn’t take it. Jones again used his deceptively easy but hard serve to score 4 points. This time Dartford did take the chance and managed to pull the score back to 12-6. Tendring really turned on the charm and raised their game. Dove was ruining their block by killing balls at will. At one point it was the Masters and Dove show, with both players taking control of every point. Tendring won the first set easily, finishing it with the score 25-10.

In the second set Davies jump served to a 3-0 lead, then it was time for the ‘Dove and Widlarz Show’ with Widlarz serving and Dove blocking the Dartford attacks and killing the transition balls. Tendring racked up a 15-6 lead before the teams traded point for point, with Tendring scoring most of the points for both teams. Jones would hit one out, Masters would hit one out followed by Davies hitting one out then Masters hitting another one in. At 20-13 the game turned and suddenly Dartford scored 4 quick points through some good hitting and weak blocking by Tendring, to bring the game to 20-17, Dartford were back in it. Masters called his first time out of the weekend to steady the nerves of his team. Porter pointed out our serving had become weak and we were serving not to the game plan. This is where the Tendring experienced showed, with Dove going back to serve an ace and Jones following this up killing a quick attack. Dartford crack under pressure and serve out. Widlarz then goes back to serve but it was just a bit too hard and lands centimetres out the back of court. Dartford served to save set point but their serve was weak, Masters passes an inch perfect ball to Chinnery who gave it straight back to Masters to kill the ball. Tendring win the second set, 25-18

In the third set Dartford led for the only time in the game. At 2-1, their lead lasted until Chinnery scores an ace to level the score at 5-5. Dove then served wisely, making it difficult for the Dartford attacks and easier for Jones and Davies to wins some blocks. Davies then hits out and you can see the frustration in his face. After this he kills the next ball and its his turn to serve, he serves 3 powerful jump serves, the first two fly off the Dartford players arms and into the room, the third hits the net. Masters then converts an easy serve and Widlarz serves well and picks up some amazing defence balls to take the leas to 17-9. Tendring sensing the end is near then take their foot of the pedal and give some of the younger players a chance to shine with Jamie Everett, Chaney and Cook all coming back on. Maybe this was a step to far for all the young players as Dartford started to pull the points back. At 22-18 Masters calls a time out to remind the players that we are in the lead and the pressure is actually on Dartford as they have got to play catch up. At 22-20 Masters decides not to take the risk and substitutes himself and Jones back on to steady the ship. Masters then gets his chance at match point to kill the ball and jumps with all his power but decides to tip the ball over the net for an easy point.

Tendring win the final set, 25-23

Tendring's next game is at home to Sussex Dolphins 11^th October 2009