Aylesbury Vale Volleyball Club

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Match Report: Hatfield, Away 3rd December 2005

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

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

Aylesbury Vale Volleyball Club stay top of the Herts Volleyball League Division 2 after winning 3-0 (25-21, 25-8, 28-26) away to previously unbeaten Hatfield at Gosling Sports Park. This was a storming performance by Vale against a team which had previously dumped them out of the cup 3-0. Vale stuck to coach Nigel Collins' gameplan and a deep defence soaked up the attacks from Hatfield's star hitter with all 6 Vale players reaching double figures in defensive saves. Vale's offence kept to its lowest error rate this season and built the victory from the defensive platform.

Vale and Hatfield swapped points initially in the first game until a consistent service run from setter Steve Smith opened up a lead. Although Hatfield came back, Vale kept ahead and took the game 25-21. In the second game Jeremy Clark opened with his second service ace of three, leading a 25-8 rout as Hatfield collapsed. Playmaker Nicolas Lasbistes set up combination piston attacks through the middle with Tim Chandler triggering the Hatfield block with a first tempo dummy attack only for outside Paul Clarke to hit a second tempo ball through the gap as the block landed. More intelligent serving from Steve Smith coupled with a string of kills from captain Chris Seal closed out the set. Hatfield started the third game strongly and scored heavily as Vale started making errors in all phases of play. Vale began to side out efficiently although half a dozen serving errors repeatedly gifted the initiative back to Hatfield. Vale regained the lead on a Paul Clarke service run including 2 aces. Tension mounted as Vale had a spiking error on their first match point and served the second out. Vale then survived a Hatfield game point before 2 kills from Paul Clarke took the game 28-26. This was a triumph for Vale's organisation and determination, and they enter the New Year as championship contenders.

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

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

Set 3 rotation (1 to 6): Steve (S) Jem (MB), Chris (OH), Nicolas (S), Tim (MB), Paul (OH).

Nigel.