WOMEN’S SECOND
DIVISION
Dulwich Tuskers lost to Swiss Cottage 27:25
15:25 20:25 23:25
Haverstock Sports Centre, Chalk Farm, London
NW1
Sunday 29th October 2006
Dulwich, relegated last season chose to play
this “Home” fixture at the venue of Swiss Cottage, one of the promoted sides,
but failed to make experience tell over ground familiarity in a compelling
fixture that saw adventurous attacking prevail over strong defending and the
new girls on the block continue the amazing start they have made to playing at
a higher level.
Indeed, Cottage appeared over-confident as the
first set got under way and coach Danny Primus had to call a time out at 13:12
and at 18:15, in the second audibly warning his players that they were in for a
long haul, “It’s not going to be easy,” ringing round the hall. With Tuskers
showing a lot of self-belief, they retained the slender lead and earned two set
points before converting a third to take the lead. Cottage brought on Alexandra
Cacheux for the second set and appeared to raise their game but they took
control after Vince McBean replaced the tall Astrid Surger with Flavie Lienafa
at 4:6 following an error. With Diane Szmidt sidelined with a back injury it
just made things easier for Cottage and they moved steadily further ahead
accelerating from 13:16 to 15:25 with some excellent hitting and blocking by
Anita Bjelica, helped in blocks by Federica Ferretti and Eva Bulatko.
Astrid returned to Tuskers’ attack in the third
and played superbly well although she did not outshine Daniela Sanchez whose
powerful left hand was to earn her another MVP nomination that keeps her on top
of her divisional list. Setter Shirley Doyle used both of them skilfully. Danny
Primus needed to call a time out after a two point lead had been reduced to
seven all and another when Tuskers closed to 17:19. Vince McBean had to respond
immediately after Angelica Bonci hit so brilliantly down the line to make it
18:22 that she threatened to demoralise her opponents. Even so, there was no
way back in the set. Yet they came back in the fourth in which neither side
could dominate. The match and Dulwich deserved a fifth set but the strength of
Cottage character shone through as the squad held its nerve especially Doreen
Gulla who hit intelligently off the block on the right flank to earn match
point and then met a long set from the ever reliable Cristina Madeddu on the
left to secure three points. Tuskers gave their MVP nomination to Federica but
I’m glad I didn’t have responsibility for the choice.
“We’ll take them in the return match,” Diane
Szmidt promised me after the match. That’s scheduled for 25th March. It should
be another exciting afternoon.
Dulwich Tuskers:
Starting six: Shirley Doyle (captain), Donna Dyer, Daniela
Sanchez, Nikki Strachan, Astrid Surger and Shaherah Williams.
Libero: -
Other players:
Sarah Amon, Flavie Lienafa and Diane Szmidt.
Coach: Vince McBean.
Swiss Cottage:
Starting six: Anita
Bjelica, Angelica Bonci, Eva Bulatko, Federica Ferretti, Doreen Gulla and
Cristina Madeddu (captain).
Libero: Yumi Yamazaki.
Other players: Alexandra Cacheux and Laura Perbllini.
Coach: Danny Primus.
League Table:
(leading positions)
P
W L F A Pts.
1. Swiss Cottage 6
5 1 17
5 16
2. City of Salford
6 4 2 14 9 14
3 South Hants
6 4 2 14 9 14
4. Nottingham Ladies 6
3 3 12 10 12
5. Chiltern Ladies 6
3 3 10 11 12
6. Dulwich Tuskers 6
3 3 11 14 12
7. Guildford International 5 3 2 12 11 11
8. Leeds 4 3 1 9 4 10
Acknowledgements:
EVA web site and results service.