Tendring are the Kings of Essex

Tendring 3 - 0 Brentwood

25-21, 25-23, 25-19

Report by Neil Masters

Tendring laid claims to being the kings of Essex Volleyball after beating rivals Brentwood. In their most impressive display in division 1 of the national league Tendring overpowered the opponents with a 3-0 victory.

Tendring had experienced a devastating loss in their previous match when a run of lost points displaced Tendring from a potential winning position.

With that defeat still fresh on their minds and knowing another defeat would drag them into a dogfight at the basement of the second tier of English Volleyball.

Set 1 began at a fast pace with each team trading points. By the time the first technical time-out had been reached Tendring had formulated a game plan and had succesfully embedded the tactic to create a lead. Despite losing the lead a few times during the set Tendring were playing the better volleyball. With the two teams approaching 20 points Tendring created a small gap with excellent play by Ben Wilson and Alex Porter. The gap was maintained and Stuart Dove sealed the first set win with a huge kill block, demoralising Brentwood's attack.

The tension could be seen at the start of the second set and Tendring went 3 points ahead. Brentwood have a pedigree in this division and with a few player connections between the teams a lot of kidology factored in to the proceedings they drew level.

The teams were level until the mid-teens when Brentwood forged a small lead. Coach Neil Masters called a time out and gave his players a goal to maintain pressure on Brentwood. Joe Cook went one better and destroyed Brentwood's serve receive unit with an ace and 3 more searching serves to balance out the teams at 20 all.

Brentwood managed to get to 23 first, and with Tendring just one point behind the pressure exerted  by Tendring proved too much and Tendring won the last 3 points to take a 2-0 lead.

Set 3 became relatively easy for Tendring with only an injury to Porter providing the most concerning moment of the set. Sebastian Widlarz who's passing had earned him the Janice porter award provided the final pass for Liam Chinnery to provide Dove with an opportunity to finish the set and match off, which he duly obliged.