Savills captain Julie Elmy (facing) has damaged a hand. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 0298847)
SAVILLS’ title-winning men’s and women’s first squads travel to Jersey this weekend hoping to build on their performances from last week when they came out on top of their Champions v. The Rest matches.
The women’s squad will be without youngster Jenny Lindfield and therefore go to Jersey with the bare six players.
On the plus side, Savills had a good run-out against the amalgamated team from NashCopy Red and Gestetner. Despite spells of great volleyball, the lack of cohesive play from The Rest was evident throughout the match.
Savills won three sets to one, although their opponents had pulled back to within a few points at the end of the fourth set, thanks to a run of serves from hard-hitting Lize-Mari Theron.
A combination of consistent play from Savills and frequent unforced errors from The Rest meant the game was not as tense as it could have been. Coach Karen Archenoul was frustratingly resigned to the bench through injury and tried in vain to inspire the team to overturn Savills.
Savills’ captain Julie Elmy will be hoping that a knock to her hand, picked up during the game in a one-handed block, will heal in time to allow her to play her usual controlling game alongside Elizabeth Kimber.
Together they combine well to feed the hitters reliably, keeping their opponents guessing by switching the play.
Sam Le Marquand is the only newcomer to the ‘Upton’ encounter.
Savills 1 Men encountered less resistance when they took on the Rest team, winning their game in straight sets.
Despite fielding quality players such as Marty Baker and Mike Amstad, the amalgamation could also not produce sufficiently consistent passing or attacking play.
The title holders showed that they have built on their hard work running up to the recent inter-Insulars as all were involved across the two matches. Player-coach Ben Hill is pleased with their teamwork and recent performances and is looking forward to reversing the inter-insular result.
‘We will be looking to make them play our game and if that happens then there should only be one winner,’ said Hill.
Additionally, the GVA Juniors will be tackling their Jersey counterparts in the junior inter-insular clash. Under the watchful eye of Peter Walden, the team will be hoping to maintain their dominance in this encounter and defend their title.
The team is strengthening year-on-year, thanks to many of the players benefiting from experience in their respective men’s and women’s squads, although they will miss the influential Lindfield.
Coach Walden is delighted to introduce three new players in Becky Skipper, Emily Dookun and Ollie Brehaut, who have all played well this season.
Despite enjoying a comfortable straight-sets win last year they are expecting a tougher game when they get to Jersey tomorrow.
Article posted on 17th April, 2008 - 2.29pm
Loading ...
Most Commented: