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Essex Conference B 26th April 2009 Romford Rascals v Chelmsford 1 1-3 Set scores 13-25,
23-25, 25-22, 19-25 Chelmsford take the title unbeaten Chelmsford’s first team were crowned champions of Essex Conference B completing an unbeaten run by defeating Romford Wildcards 3-1. Player of the match was Anash Vora coming back from injury for a match winning performance. Chelmsford came into this match with a played 5 won 5 record including a win over Wildcards at Chelmsford. However at home the Romford team can be stiff opposition and so it proved. In a game where the scoreline flattered the visitors as for long periods they struggled to subdue the hard hitting Romford side. Coach Paul Bohannan had a virtually full squad available as Vora returned form injury. Bohannan himself started as setter with John Hill with Dave Gentry joining Vora at outside attack and the middle positions filled by Mike Parkinson and Steve Peacock. The game quickly settled into a pattern where long rallies too often ended in a Romford error as although using all attacking positions, Chelmsford could not find a consistent winning formula which owed much to Romford’s defence. It was Chelmsford’s serve which was their most effective weapon with Vora leading the way. A first set score of 25-13 suggested Chelmsford well in command but it didn’t feel like that of court. Set two with the same six was a closer affair and Chelmsford were never in front as they struggled to deal with the powerful hitting of Kandeah and Briton. Romford levelled the match by taking the4 set 25-23. Sets three and four both went to Chelmsford who brought in Stuart Fairley and Ken Edwards in an effort to find a consistent winning formation but they all had to fight hard and there was some improvement in the first ball as the match went on which gave a more stable platform from which to attack. Fortunately this was just enough to keep Romford at bay although Chelmsford could not relax. The set scores 25-22, 25-19 for the 3-1 victory suggest a degree of comfort that the players certainly did not feel. Speaking later Steve Coor from Romford was complimentary saying that throughout the season Chelmsford had deserved their title, but he must know that with only a little improvement in consistency to build on the formidable defence, Romford will be strong contenders next season. For Chelmsford attention now turns to the cups where they take on Brentwood Wildthings in the Rucanor Cup semi final. The Brentwood side are unbeaten this season in all competitions so will give the Chelmsford team a real work out to see how far they have progressed. Warm up is at 8.30pm on 7th May at Mildmay Sportscentre, Anglia Ruskin University in Chelmsford.
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