NASHCOPY RED have retained their OSA Recruitment Women’s League title. There was all to play for in the top-of-the-table clash against Savills and it showed, with both teams making silly errors early on, poor serving from both sides the most noticeable flaw throughout the first set.
Despite that, NashCopy edged ahead, with some great spiking from Jo Turville.
The tables were turned in the second and Savills took advantage of poor NashCopy play, particularly in their dig.
With Savills still missing Julie Elmy through injury, Ann Saunders was used as utility setter and she caused problems for NashCopy at the net, using her height and experience to full effect with some excellent blocks.
At 1-1, the champions stepped up a gear.
Karen Archenoul opened the third set with some excellent serving, giving her side a 9-0 lead.
Nash built on that and with improved digging, they had the ability to vary their attacks, which they used to good effect.
Player of the match Turville found her range again in the fourth set while Savills lacked their normal solid dig and with Saunders out of the spiking equation, NashCopy continued on their roll to take the match and title.
‘We are thrilled to have retained our title, but I must stress that this season has been all about a real club effort,’ said a delighted NashCopy captain Archenoul.
‘With just six players registered for the Reds, we have used all our second team throughout the season and without them we would not be where we are today, so this win is as much for them as it is for those of us playing tonight.’
NashCopy White made light work of ASL 1 with a fine win, based on solid teamwork, to secure third in the table - one place higher than last season.
Jenny Lindfield played well for ASL, blocking several attacks and winning some vital points.
However, White were gelling as a team, and arguably put up one of their most outstanding performances to date.
Setters Tracy Lewis and Karen Jehan worked well together, the former also having one of her best games this season. Jehan was also inspirational at the service line, her powerful serve proving too much for ASL.
Missing key players and having only a bare six to work with, ASL were unable to make changes and this was one of their downfalls.
White captain Lisa Dowinton was outstanding, always encouraging her players and doing more than her fair share of covering the court.
The Whites have had an unsettled season, with several players missing throughout various stages, but they showed in this match what they are capable of with a full squad.
If they can continue that through to next season, they could well cause an upset.
With the Men’s League already decided, they were playing for pride and places in their last games of the season, but a shock was very close in the inter-club Savills clash.
The Blues went two sets up against their first team, Tangos, before the champions pulled it all the way back in a tight match that could have gone either way.
Tangos, though, edged it 15-12 in the decider.
NashCopy Men took just 41 minutes to secure their win against Orchard PR, although the first and final sets produced some tight scorelines.
Orchard have certainly improved throughout the course of the season and although they did not secure any wins this season, next year could be a different matter.
Article posted on 12th April, 2007 - 12.00am
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