Matchdate: 20/1/07
EVAREF: M153

Cambridge 3 – 2 Newcastle (Staffs)

(23-25, 25-23, 25-16,17-25, 15-11)

Since their promotion to Division 1 of the NVL Cambridge have had a fantastic home record and have usually brushed ‘Castle aside with ease in this fixture. The North Staffordshire side are in need of a number of good results and had their sights set on much improved performance at this unhappy venue for them. The match started very tightly with both teams defending very well, picking up numerous balls in the back court and despite their height advantage at the net, Cambridge were out-rallied by the visitors who exploited a blocking weakness on the hosts right flank to close out the first set 25-23 after having had a slightly wider lead at times. The second set was an almost exact mirror image and both teams persisted with the switching of setters to ensure three front court attackers, with ‘Castle using 17 year old Sam Allen as cover for the injured Jon Pennock. This time is was Cambridge who prevailed 25-23 to level the match 1-1.

In the third set Cambridge accelerated at the mid-point through their Canadian star-player Andy Lynn who hit some fantastic powerful cross-court angled shots that the ‘Castle defence could not contain and opened up a lead. ‘Castle were labouring at this point of the game and the momentum firmly swung Cambridge’s way as they took the set emphatically 25-16. Knowing the importance of winning as many sets as possible in every game, ‘Castle returned to the court with renewed conviction and James Cooper drilled a number of kills with powerful shots down the line. The passing unit upped their performance and allowed Sam Bragg to bring middle player Will Roberts more into the match and he made the most of a large whole in Cambridge’s defence in the centre of the court. The host’s found their ‘go to’ man unable to kill the ball with the ease that he was previously doing and Roberts, Bragg and Viggars all scored kill-blocks to take the match into a 5th set with a 25-17 win.

The teams took to the court for the 5th set with great anticipation from the crowd and ‘Castle took the early lead with some good jump serving from Dave Lovell. At 4-1 Lovell’s ace serve was narrowly but correctly judged to have landed millimetres the wrong side of the line to bring Cambridge back into the set. A big strong block from the hosts was followed by a huge kill from Lynn who was clearly ready to put his stamp back on the game as he went back to serve. He was still serving a 10-6 to Cambridge, when an attack error from ‘Castle put the match seemingly beyond reach. The teams traded points and despite ferocious defence from the visitors Cambridge brought up match point. Lovell returned to the line to bomb down an ace, but appropriately Cambridge’s Lynn finished the match.

‘Castle return to action this Saturday with a match at home versus London Malory at Keele University, 6pm start.


Squad: Will Roberts ©, Sam Bragg, Dave Lovell, Richard Guest, James Cooper, Mark Speake (libero), Adam Brewer, Falko Drijfhout, Matt Rogers, Sam Allen, Ant Viggars (player coach).

Will Roberts