Aylesbury Vale Volleyball Club

Match Report: Hatfield, Away 19th November 2005

0-3 loss: 22-25, 26-28, 22-25

Team : Bruce Archibald, Chris Seal (Capt), Jem Clark, Nicolas Lasbistes, Paul Clarke, Sara Clark & Tim Chandler; Coach: Nigel Collins

Aylesbury Vale Volleyball Club lost its first round Herts Cup match away to Hatfield 0-3 (22-25, 26-28, 22-25) at Gosling Sports Park. Vale competed well and had their chances, leading in all 3 games, but ultimately could not neutralise a strong Hatfield spiker hitting deep over the block.

Vale started the first game brightly and led 17-13 until Hatfield's star spiker rotated to front court and dominated at the net. Vale subsided to a 22-25 loss as the defence struggled to put a good dig into the setter. Vale built up an 18-13 lead in the second game with Tim Chandler converting opportunities in the middle. Despite determined resistance by Nicolas Lasbistes the defence failed to pick up Hatfield's deep hits reliably. Hatfield increasingly used their star spiker to hit from back court as well as front court and battled to a 28-26 win. With Bruce Archibald providing an error-free outlet on the wing, Vale started the third game with better shape. Hatfield pulled ahead, but switching captain Chris Seal to shore up the middle block allowed Vale to pull back and lead 21-19. With Vale's side-out game still not working effectively, Hatfield played to their strength and won 25-22.

Set 1 rotation (1 to 6): Jem (MB), Chris (OH), Nicolas (S), Tim (MB), Paul (OH), Sara (S).

Set 2 rotation (1 to 6): Sara (S), Jem (MB), Chris (OH), Nicolas (S), Tim (MB), Paul (OH).

Set 3 rotation (1 to 6): Jem (MB) (sub Chris 12-18 to 21-23), Bruce (OH), Nicolas (S), Tim (MB), Paul (OH), Sara (S).

Nigel.