Reading University beat Chiltern 25:16 25:19 23:25 25:17

Wolfenden Sports Centre, Reading University

Sunday 21st January 2007

Until the weekend before Christmas nobody had taken a league set off Reading University and followers of the results might be surprised that Chiltern today emulated Milton Keynes. Fellow competitors, however, recognise the club’s talents and determination and, although they lost, the players could travel home with pride after making the division’s pace setters work overtime.

Chiltern began as though overawed by the opposition who swept to an 8:1 lead. A long rally went the visitors’ way when Dimitrios Balagiannis hit wide going down the line to give them a second point. Suddenly more confident, they settled well and closed to 15:10 but, with the University admirably still going for their shots, could not make further inroads and gradually the home side again pulled further away.

It was a similar story in the second set but in the third, having grabbed an early lead, Chiltern refused to allow Reading back into the game and clung on to the end of a wonderful set although the University drew level at 8:8, 15:15, 19:19 and 20:20 and even took the lead at 22:21 and 23:22. Holding their nerve and their form, Andrew Brown and Miha Razinger twice blocked Dimitrios in the same rally to earn set point which, after a time out, Reading tamely gave away with a reception error from service.

Chiltern made the mistake of resting on their laurels and everyone seemed surprised when Reading raced to a 4:0, then 7:1 lead with a variety of attacking shots. It was too much to give away and although they then regrouped and played well, 12:7 was as close as they got and from 21:14 Reading proved unbeatable.

As in the Solent match, Ioannis Manolakis, the home team’s setter, received the accolade of a Most Valuable Player nomination. Libero Ian Horman had also played well and controlled the backcourt while, when in front court, David Siwek, Dimitrios Balagiannis and Alex Constantinos looked good enough to interest some first division teams. Sami Helin had been the outstanding player for Chiltern and he duly received Reading’s MVP nomination. Yet it had truly been a team effort for the losers and, although there will be disappointment in and around Loddon Valley, their performance ought to be an encouragement as they face the rest of the season. The second teams of City of Bristol and Guildford International should take note.

Reading University

Starting Six: Dimitrios Balagiannis, Alex Constantinos, Tom Jones, Ioannis Manolakis, David Siwek and Constantinos Stogias.

Libero: Ian Horman.

Other players: Ryan Jones and Tomek Swierczek (captain).

Coach: Tomek Swierczek.

Chiltern

Starting Six: Andy Bishop, Andrew Brown, Ray Brown, Cristian Codorean, Sami Helin and Malcolm Paine.

Libero: Dave Godfrey.

Other players: Matt Colbourne (captain), Darren Griffin, Daniel Pohludka and Miha Razinger.

Coach: Dave Lawrence.

Douglas Barr-Hamilton

Men’s Third Division, West

League Table P W L Sets Points

Leading positions F A

1. Reading University 13 13 0 39 2 39

2. Bridgend 12 11 1 33 12 34

3. Plymouth DML Activate 13 8 5 28 20 29

4. City of Bristol II 9 6 3 20 13 21

5. SGTV Solent 11 5 6 18 18 21

6. Milton Keynes 9 4 5 18 19 17

7. Chiltern 10 2 8 10 26 14

Acknowledgements

English Volleyball Association web site and results service.