Docklands Get Their Revenge

Tendring Men 2 - 3 London Docklands

12-25, 22-25, 25-22, 25-19, 15-9

Report by Neil Masters

Tendring faced a tough weekend with 2 matches in consecutive days.
On Saturday the opponents were London Docklands, a relegated team from the Super 8 and victims of Tendring's magnificent cup run in last years journey to the semi final stage.

This match would be completely different. Docklands having been relegated lost many players and despite coach Neil Masters & Assistant Coach Alex Porter having played for the club only 4 seasons ago there were no familiar players. London Docklands got off to a whirlwind start and completely tore Tendring apart. Janice Porter award winner Ben Wilson was introduced but couldn't steer Tendring from a first set loss.
The second set was fast becoming a repeat. Masters re-introduced Captain Sebastian Widlarz but this time in an unfamiliar role as setter. The trick appeared to work & with time running out Tendring began to catch up. The gap in points proved too much, but a spirited fight back  delighted the players.

Tendring took this momentum into the third and fourth set winning both and a fifth set win looked on the cards. Docklands who contained no British representation re-established their gameplay and went into a 4-0 lead. Tendring now knew they needed an exceptional performance in order to reach 15 first.

Docklands maintained their lead & only when it was too late did Tendring manage to fightback. Losing the match 3 sets to 2.