NVL Men - Sussex Dolphins (A) Match Report 2009-10

Tendring Inch Closer To Championship

Tendring 3 – 0 Sussex Dolphins
25-22, 25-22, 25-23

Report by Neil Masters

The fixture secretary could not have organized a more compelling line
up for this weekends matches. Tendring who were currently top of the
league with a perfect 16 wins out of 16 matches faced first the 3rd
placed team, Sussex Dolphins and then 2nd placed team Danes.

Tendring knew if they managed to beat Sussex convincingly then the
league title would virtually be theirs. Alex Porter made an impressive
start to this match winning points freely with both hits and blocks
and Tendring raced to a 7-3 lead. Dolphins pulled back the lead with
excellent service pressure which inhibited Nick Davies’ chance to
release his hitters. Dolphins then took a very narrow lead at 13-12.
Coach Neil Masters subbed himself into the game in order to strengthen
the passing unit. The set became a very close affair with each team
trading point for point. Porter then showed why he was GB’s Captain
before injury had interrupted his career. Winning points from what
seemed impossible angles. Tendring claimed the set 25-21.

The next 2 sets provided Tendring with a challenge but their pedigree
shone through and Dolphins just could not keep up the quality needed
in order to look like taking a set. Tendring won the remaining sets
25-22 and 25-19.

Alex Porter deservedly taking the much coveted Janice Porter Award.