Tendring Take Top Spot

Tendring 3-2 Danes Watford
25-18, 22-25 23-25, 25-22, 15-11
Report by Neil Masters

Tendring dragged themselves out of a deep hole to reach the summit of Division 2 and put them in pole position for the race to the title. Danes Watford were the visitors and they occupied the top spot in the division ahead of Tendring curtousy of sets difference. Which ever team won this clash would hold their title hopes solely in their hands. Danes had won the previous meeting 3-1 and both teams fancied their chances of being top of the table after the match. Tendring had a terrific first set with everything they did turning into a point. Danes looked like they would struggle as excellent serving from Joe Cook and hitting from Stuart Dove created a considerable lead. It wasn't until Tendring got within a few points of securing the first set did Danes start playing and believing that they could triumph. Tendring eventually winning the set 25-18.

Tendring were warned about complacency after winning the first set to a similar way the last time they met. Losing the next 3 sets and the match. Tendring looked like they might repeat the first set as they eased to a 5 point lead. But a run of errors and calls against them brought Danes back into the set. Trending again extended their lead but just could not shake Danes and as the set got to the closing stages it was Danes who stole the set as Tendring stumbled. Danes winning 25-23.

With all to play for Tendring looked shocked after losing the last set and went 8-1 down. Despite his good attacking skills Captain Sebastian Widlardz was replaced by Ben Wilson in order to attempt a resurgence.The tactics seemed to work and slowly Tendring chipped away at Danes'
lead. Spencer White-Overton was introduced and he helped cut the deficit to within 1 point. Tendring looked like they might gain vengeance from the previous set and steal this one away from Danes, however with only a few points left in the set Tendring again stumbled and the set was over. Danes taking it 25-22.

Player coach Neil Masters introduced himself to the battle but could not stop Danes from taking an early lead 8-4 at the first technical time out.
Danes maintained the gap until they reached 17-13 up. Tendring were now in a deep hole. They had to win the set in order to stay in the title  challenge and gain the only automatic promotion place. An extraordinary run of points showed that Tendring were not just good players but their determination and willingness to compete for the team was second to none. Liam Chinnery who had had a fantastic match continues to supply Setter Nick Davies with excellent serve receptions. At one point Chinnery was splayed helpless on the court as Danes attacked, the hit went towards Chinnery who managed to keep the ball alive and Tendring converted the point.

In The Michael Jordan era of American Basketball a phrase was coined that described his domination. In this match Alex Porter showed that
he could also do the same, with the rest of the set being Porter Time. With  strict instructions, Nick Davies supplied ball after ball to Porter who duly delivered scoring virtually a point with every touch. Sonny Chaney who's outstanding season continued with huge blocks on key Danes players put doubt in their minds. All this combined Tendring overturned a 5 point gap to taking the match into a fifth and final set 25-22.

The faces on the Danes players as they lost the 4th was enough to inspire Tendring and Porter Time continued ably backed up by Dove and
Davies. Tendring stretched out a lead at the halfway point and despite a late comeback Tendring sealed the victory and top spot.