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Match Report: Sheffield V Speedwell
| September 13th, 2003 |
The first outing for the Speedwell team, hosting some new faces since last season, was to Sheffield who finished third last season. Speedwell had a disasterous start to the game by going 9-1 down due to numerous passing and hitting errors as well as some solid blocking from the host team, Sheffield. After a Speedwell time-out the visitors won the point and clawed back half the deficit thanks to some solid serving and defensive blocking. Speedwell reduced the deficit to even the score at 10-10 and the match progressed with Sheffield always slightly ahead. Their more accurate hitting allowed Sheffield to take the first set 25-18.
The second set saw Speedwell begin to improve on their passing and take an early lead on the hosts. However, Sheffield soon fought back after a time-out and some solid serving. The second set progressed with a regular trading of points but some attacking errors from Speedwell, as well as solid blocking from Sheffield, allowed the hosts to push a few points ahead. Speedwell was unable to recover from the deficit and the second set score mirrored the first: 25-18.
The injury of Speedwell's libero still recovering from shoulder surgery took a toll on some of Speedwell's defence and they conceded a number of points to Sheffield attacks and strong serving. While Speedwell were competing in the early stages of the set, the Sheffield team, buoyed by their two set lead, were relaxed and comfortable and ran out easy winners in the third set to a disappointed and frustrated Speedwell. The set score in the third was 25-14. |
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