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Chelmsford home in on league title showdown

In their latest Essex Division 2 match Chelmsford Seconds defeated Brentwood Bandits 3-1 and now look set to meet Brentwood Whackers in a league title showdown.

This was a good result after the setback of the loss to Southend Meteors the previous week. With 11 players in the squad available, Chelmsford were able to try out several newcomers and various combinations and still win the game although at times it was a close run thing as the individual set scores show.

Set one saw a starting six of Richard Bohannan and Gary Mower setting, Marcin Kawulski and Matt Brooks middle hitters and Tom Ashley (captain) and Kamila Wawrzela outside attack. Both sides struggled to settle down and Chelmsford blockers were often guilty of playing the ball when the covering player was better placed to do so. Meanwhile Brentwood too were unable to find their hitters and the scores were even throughout the set. Towards the end a brief cameo from Matt Ruffell saw Chelmsford clawback from set point down to 24-24, but they were unable to secure the set going down 26-24.

In set two both the4 setters were changed seeing veteran Steve Peacock and newcomer Matt Knight come on. Knight was quickly into the fray and although lacking experience at this level (previous matches being for Sandon school) quickly adapted to the faster pace and power at this level. The team quickly took control of the set ands with Ashley and Kawulski hitting the ball into the spaces, the home team ran out 25-16 winners. Further changes for set 3 saw Matt Ruffell join in his preferred role as outside hitter and Rob Smethurst, also from Sandon school make his debut. Although this line up was very mobile around court, the players were not always aware positionally and needed the guidance from Peacock and Ruffell to help stabilise the defence. Bandits capitalised and their captain, the wily Lorraine Barrett, was adept and finding the gaps. Bandits were 11-8 up when in a surprise change, Chelmsford brought on Jamie Forrester, a third Sandon student, at outside attack. Bandits continued to ease ahead until at 19-12 down Gary Mower showed how versatile a player he is by coming on at middle. Chelmsford regrouped and a purple patch of serving by Ruffell saw them back in the set at 19-19. Nip and tuck to the end with set points on either side, but when the dust settled it was Chelmsford who had the advantage 26-24.

Set four is best forgotten as Bandits were increasingly overwhelmed by Chelmsford who took the set 25-14 for the 3-1 win. The officials awarded Chelmsford captain Tom Ashley player of the match for his all round play. Speaking later coach Ken Edwards said ‘This sets up our remaining match before Xmas against Brentwood Whackers nicely. Although we have lost a game to Southend, Whackers have yet to play them so a good win over them will put us in the picture with a title that could be decided on sets. Everyone played well today and I was able to give everyone a decent run out. The Sandon students all stepped up to the higher level and I think we now have good strength in depth with a mixture of youth and experience’.