Aylesbury Vale Volleyball Club

Match Report: VK Barnet, Away 12th April 2006

3-0 win: 25-16, 25-20, 25-20

Team : Bruce Archibald, Chris Seal (Capt), Graham Bird, Jem Clark, Nicolas Lasbistes, Steve Smith & Tim Chandler; Coach: Nigel Collins.

Aylesbury Vale Volleyball Club beat VK Barnet 3-0 (25-16, 25-20, 25-20) away at Barnet to stay top of Herts League Division 2. Vale completed a comfortable double over Barnet who were much improved from the reverse fixture a fortnight earlier. This sets up Vale's last match of the season at home to rivals Welwyn as the title decider.

In the first game solid steady serving for Vale from setter Steve Smith, returning from injury, kept the pressure on Barnet and set up an easy 25-16 win. Spikers Jem Clark and Bruce Archibald showed some crisp hitting as Vale shut out the game. Barnet seemed better organised defensively in the second game, allowing their playmaker setter to distribute the ball consistently to his hitters. However, Vale were playing well within themselves and always had a little extra in reserve despite some loose plays on both attack and defence. Setter Nicolas Lasbistes showed his attacking skills, stranding the Barnet block as he hit down the line from the left-side. Captain Chris Seal cleverly exploited holes in the Barnet defence with some off-speed attacking shots and Vale took the second game 25-20. In the third, Tim Chandler and Graham Bird continued to sweep up the loose balls on defence with authority as Vale again won 25-20 and took the match 3-0.

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

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

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

Nigel.