Sandwick sweep up in volleyball mixed league but fail to make grade in men’s
Sandwick saw off Harry’s Hotspurs in volleyball’s mixed league after a slow start and the Drifters beat Sandwick in the men’s league.
Intersport Mixed League
Harry’s Hotspurs 0, Sandwick 3
(21-25, 18-25, 21-25)
Sandwick got the match underway but struggled to find their feet, ending up having to call a time-out at 10-0 down through a combination of good serving from Andrew Crossan and poor service reception. This seemed to settle the Sandwick players down and they started to get the ball to their setter which gave their hitters a better chance of attacking. This forced the Hotspurs to call a time-out of their own to try and regroup with the scores at 12-8. Sandwick continued to press and took the lead with a run of points till a poor hit from Erik Peterson into the net let Hotspurs claw the deficit back to three points. The scores remained pretty close but Sandwick proved the stronger side and were able to hold out and win the first set 25-21.
The second set started a lot better for Sandwick with Ruth Christie’s serving giving them a 6-3 lead. Christie’s relaxed reception and precise setting let Sandwick take a more comfortable lead at 20-14. Accurate hitting from Peterson and Iain White gave the Hotspurs a hard time and they were unable to get a rhythm going. To their credit Hotspurs never gave in and made Sandwick work hard to close out the set 25-18.
Neither team could take advantage in the third with no-one able to take a sizeable lead over the other. The game became a bit scrappy with Hotspurs looking desperate for a set and Sandwick not being able to find that higher gear they needed to kill off the match. Some intelligent play from Crossan and some very good hits from Kevin Moar kept Hotspurs hopes up. White’s hard, fast and consistent serving gave Sandwick a few points lead at 19-16. The match went back and fore from then before Sandwick saw out the set 25-21 and the game 3-0.
MVPs were Kevin Moar for Harry’s Hotspurs and Ruth Christie for Sandwick.
BP Sullom Voe Men’s League
LHD Drifters 3, Sandwick 0
(25-19, 25-16, 25-17)
The match started evenly with both teams playing well. The Drifters hitting was on form. However, Sandwick’s determined attitude allowed them to display some excellent pick-ups especially from Ian Bray. Sandwick’s Eric Peterson provided a run of superb hits allowing his side to nudge ahead. However, good play from Brydon Leask let the Drifters pull it back. The first set was very close but a good run of serves from Kenneth Shearer allowed the Drifters to take the first set 25-19.
LHD started the second set strongly with some fabulous play from Andrew Crossan. Sandwick’s determination did not falter with some excellent play from Tomas Smith and Iain White. Drifter Jason Jamieson’s hitting was on form and despite the tiresome efforts of Sverre Riise of Sandwick, Drifters took the second set 25-16.
Sandwick took an early lead in the third set with Martin Henderson serving well. However with good play from Mike Bradley and Roger Goudie, LHD pulled it back. There was some super rallies between these two teams with Kevin Smith of Sandwick and Davie Leslie of LHD playing well. LHD nudged ahead despite the long rallies which showed both teams’ determination and skill. Despite Sandwick’s endless efforts LHD took the third and final set 25-17.
MVP for LHD Drifters was Andrew Crossan and for Sandwick it was Eric Peterson.
Fixtures Friday 16th October, Clickimin, at 9pm: Mixed League – Harry’s Hotspurs v JBT Mixed.
For more information on volleyball in Shetland visit www.shetlandvolleyball.com.
