/ Author: SPF

SPF Volleyball Match Report 

22nd October 2021 vs Spike Tyson 

Spike Tyson won 3 sets to 1, 25:17, 21:25, 25:15, 28:26

SPF Most Valuable Player: 5 – Jack Nurdin 

SPF Private Clients Men took on Spike Tyson in a tense, top of the table tussle. Spike Tyson went undefeated last season but found themselves with 2 wins in their opening 3 matches. SPF, with a game in hand, were 2 wins from 2. This match delivered on its promise to be a hard fought battle.

Spikes took an early lead in the first set on the back of strong serving from Jakub Polomka and SPF struggled to find a side-out in the early part of the set. Joe Baines, new to the setting role, found his way into the match and combined with Jack Nurdin for 3 booming kills. A service run from Robbie Le Messurier nearly saw SPF catch-up, but ultimately they could not reduce the early deficit and Spikes took the first set.

SPF rallied hard in the second set and credit must go to Steve Adam for his exemplary passing and defence. Steve had stepped up to play opposite as the team found itself with too few players to use him as libero, his normal position. Matt Ashworth read the Spikes defence like a book and scored 4 kill blocks in the set including a spectacular one handed block on the opposing middle. SPF ground out the second set.

However, Spike Tyson asserted their dominance in the 3rd set over a lethargic looking SPF. Spikes’ Jack Robilliard, experienced island setter, combined with team captain Harry Barrett-Giles throughout; with his impressive vertical leap and power, Barrett-Giles hammered through the double block of SPF and surely played the biggest part in this match as Spikes took the third set with ease.

The fourth set was a battle from the off. SPF found themselves down again following a run from Robilliard but they gritted their teeth and pulled their opponents back with a bloody minded display of defence and transition hitting. As the set went into overtime, a couple of small errors cost SPF the set and ultimately the match. SPF were disappointed to lose but their players remembered that last season they could not get close to taking a set from the Spikes. They nearly took them the distance tonight. The next match promises to be special.

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