MEN’S FIRST DIVISION
London Malory lost to London Docklands 23:25 26:24 18:25
25:22 15:17
John Kane Sports Centre, Brunel University, Osterley,
Middlesex.
Saturday 25th February 2006
The computer must have had prophetic as well as intelligence
skills when it scheduled this top of the table men’s match to follow
immediately after a top of the table women’s game at the same venue. The first
had provided value for money in three sets. Not only did the second give the
large crowd the bonus of five but, at two sets all and thirteen all, the
anticipation of entertainment stretching into the night. By cutting that short,
London Docklands remain top of the Prosport pile.
The match was as close as the score line suggests. Only in
the third set did either side enjoy a small advantage and that only after
things were tied at 15:15. The catalyst seems to have been the replacement of
Andy Carr by Aaron Stolberg at 15:16. Aaron only stayed on court for three
rallies and a time out and did nothing wrong that I saw but the move seemed to
encourage Docklands to surge to 15:19 and to reduce Malory’s concentration and
they faded after a rotation fault at 16:21. For the rest of the evening there
was no clue as to how things would end. Inevitably in a match of five sets
there were errors: probably too many. Some service faults could be excused as
players went for length, power or subtlety. Some positional mistakes were the
result of incredible pick-ups from attacking shots. Some technical errors were
forced by opposition skill. Yet a few should not have been made at this level.
Despite this gripe, indeed partly in view of it, this was an exciting and
gripping encounter that either side could have won and which Malory probably
feel they should. In any case, in the most part play was of a high standard and
the determination shown by all the players praiseworthy. The overwhelming
memory as we made our way to a truncated Piccadilly Line service and a
roundabout route home via central London was of the quality that had been
shown. Everyone performed with credit and Alex Porter made a warmly appreciated
cameo appearance in the second set during which Docklands lost a 22:19 lead to
go 23:22 behind. It was not a day for disturbing concentrations.
Ian Legrand nominated Morf Bowes as Most Valuable Player. He
would have been my choice too having played an outstanding game in defence and
with his serving as well as his trademark attacks. Jefferson Williams
sportingly nominated Dejan Miladinovic: his had been a match winning
performance. Danny Primus and Jefferson Williams were used in tactical
substitutions otherwise the benches were only disturbed as I’ve already
described. Apart from alternating Aaron Stolberg and Andy Carr, the coaches
gave us settled sides and the sides gave us a terrific match worthy of a Cup
Final. But that’s still to come and City of Bristol and Warwick Riga will have
a say in the story … but could it be a repeat? Or revenge?
There was one curious feature to the match: like water
streaming from Surrey Docks outside the visitors’ home venue, all winning
spells came from the same end. Even the final set went 6:8 then 9:7 (to make it
fifteen all). Only the last two rallies bucked the trend to the wharfsiders’
relief.
London Malory:
Starting six: Alex Bialokoz, Morf Bowes, Mark
Brown, Richard Dobell (captain), Joe Mildred and Aaron Stolberg.
Libero: Grant Martindale.
Other players: Andy Carr, Steve Fee, Andy Omoshebi, David Rijvers and Jefferson
Williams.
Coach: Jefferson Williams.
London Docklands:
Starting six: Efe Eurero, Albrecht Glitz
(captain), Boris Halatchev, Neil Masters, Dejan Miladinovic and Nicolas Ruh.
Libero: Alexis Blair.
Other players: Martin Blake, Ned Groy, Jesse
Kaptein, Alex Porter and Danny Primus.
Coach: Ian Legrand.
League Table:
(leading positions) P W L F A Pts.
1. London Docklands 16 13
3 43 19 42
2. London Malory 14 12
2 40 16 38
3. Newcastle, Staffs 16 9 7 31 31 34
4. City of Bristol 14 8 6 27 24 30
5. Warwick Riga 15 7 8 28 27 29
6. London Polonia 14 7 7 33 26 28
*after Saturday’s matches
Acknowledgements: EVA web site and results
service.