NVL Men New Forest (H) Match Report 2010-11

New Year But Same Winning Feeling

Report by Neil Masters

Tendring 3-2 New Forest

(16-25, 25-19, 25-23, 19-25, 15-13)

Tendring earned a season defining victory at the weekend. With their aspirations of winning a second division championship in as many seasons, a win against a top 4 team was imperative. Added to the mix New Forest were the team that had knocked Tendring out of last year play-offs. New Forest were also looking for revenge after the opening match of the season had gone to Tendring in an emphatic 3-0 scoreline.

With the Christmas break disrupting Tendring’s traiing schedule and key players Sonny Chaney (injured) and Sebastian Widlarz (absent), this was going to be a battle of wills, not just talent.

Tendring’s Christmas was obviously a joyous occasion as they sluggishly got the match underway. New Forest’s serving was high pressured and Tendring’s passing unit were unable to cope with the power. However, Tendring were showing signs of some quality Volleyball if they could control the serve. But New Forest had too much for them on this occasion winning the first set 25-16.

Between sets Tendring were reminded that the scoreline of the previous set was not relevant and once they had control of the serve were a hard team to beat. This proved true and Tendring reversed the dominance by taking the set 25-19.

The third set was an incredible spectacle with New Forest dominating much of the set and were cruising to victory at 19-14 up. Tendring up against the odds produced some of their best volleyball of the season with exceptional serving and blocking denying New Forest point after point. As the set reached its climax, the scores were level at 23-23. A handling error led to Tendring earning set point and a terrific defensive play and counter attack proved too much for New Forest in the final points. Tendring winning 25-23.

Set 4 again saw New Forest Dominate for a large portion of the set. Tendring again looked to steal the set away again, but the come back was too little, too late as they suffered a 25-19 loss.

So for the final set and with the shortened format of first to 15 points it often described as a lottery ion who wins. Tendring had the best of the early exchanges but New Forest fought back  and at the change of ends it was neck and neck. New Forest earned themselves a 11-10 lead and with the pressure now on Tendring to keep winning points from behind any mistake would lead to a huge advantage to New Forest. Tendring stood up to the challenge and some superb blocking shutting out their key player reversed the scenario, placing Tendring in pole position. At 12-11. 2 points were traded leaving the score 13-12 and with a forced error gave Tendring match point. With a sensational serve Tendring were given the chance to secure the win, but re-organisation led to a slightly unorthodox attack and with that approach New Forest did not expect the attack. As the ball hit the New Forest Court wild celebrations could be scene amongst the Tendring players who knew with the league title in mind that this was a crucial win.

You can see Tendring play on Saturday 29^th 11.30 at TTC, Frinton Campus.