Bethnal Green
Sports Centre, London E1
Saturday 3rd
March 2007.
Six days ago
Estonians knocked Leicester off the top of the table, a position they had
secured in a five set win here at Bethnal Green 24 hours earlier and which
Aquila were to reclaim in a scrappy victory over Harriers. Now it was the
Brentwood club’s chance to complete a famous double. Yet not until after they
had saved match point in the third set did it look possible; and then …
… then, for the
first time in the match, an Aquila pass on service reception was bad and,
despite a time out, the visitors’ score continued to mount and the hosts seemed
more and more uneasy as they closed to 24 all. Antonio Codrington claimed a
25th point from Jamie Zhang’s set but, Oh the joy when Pete Guernari blocked
out his next attack to level the score again! A dump and a hit through the
block both by left-hander Paul Boyd then gave the match meaning once more.
Brentwood won the
opening rally of the fourth set – as they had the opening rally of the previous
three – and we saw the best play of the afternoon. The teams traded point for
point to six all and then a long, possibly crucial rally was won by Aquila when
a smash by Paul from backcourt flew long. Gradually Aquila confidence grew and
they eased 15:9 ahead. Another key point and another long rally this time went
to Estonians when Tony Clark, another left-hander, put away a short set in the
middle. Another spell of even play: then followed some wonderful serving by
Wahid Hassani and the end came into sight. He took the score from 18:14 to
23:14. A final flourish by Estonians including a lovely second ball attack by Pete
with Nathan French who was to get Aquila’s nomination as MVP coming in as a
decoy gave respectability to the score as Aquila jitters returned but a repeat
of the ending to the third set never really looked possible though it was
disappointing that it all had to finish with a service fault.
Disappointing but
appropriate for key to home success today was the side’s serving. As Pete was
to say after the match, “They kept us under constant pressure in their
service.” The effect was consistently smoother transition from reception to
setter Andy Bignold, Estonians’ nomination as Most Valuable Player, and the
resulting provision of more accurate passes to the hitters. Aquila were
deserved victors but Estonians had made it an enjoyable and interesting tussle.
Aquila still have to play Guildford (home, 24th March) so even promotion is not
yet theirs. Safe from relegation, Estonians are looking forward to playing
Oxford Students then throwing a big party to celebrate the club’s 50th year. They are contacting all the former members
they know but if any reader knows the whereabouts of others, anyone who
played against the club, say, 25-50 years ago and, especially, members of
its ladies team, please contact the club - peteguernari@ntlworld.com It
wants to extend an invitation. Club president and founder member, Arthur
Sepp, will be there supporting Estonian volleyball as
he was today next to
me in the stands.
Coach: Lyes Sola.
Coach: Pete Guernari.
Men’s Second Division
League Table P
W
L Sets Points
1. London Aquila
Lynx 15 12 3 40 16 39
2. Guildford International 15 11 4 41 17 37
3. Sheffield Hallam 15 11
5 37 21 35
4. Leicester 15 10 5 34 20 35
5. Brentwood Estonians 15 8
6 34 29 31
6. Loughborough Students 14
8 7 27 28 30
English Volleyball Association web site and results
service.