Essex Conference B
25th March 2010
Chelmsford 2 lost to Brenwtood Whackers 0-3 - set scores 13-25, 18-25,
21-25
Player of the match - Natalie Schultze
Strangely satisfying defeat for Chelmsford
Chelmsford 2 lost 3-0 to league leaders Brentwood Whackers but came away having played to their full potential for the first time this season with the full squad of 12 having been on court. First cap Natalie Schultze edged the player of the match award away from Rob Smethurst by the smallest of margins.
Chelmsford went into this home fixture with few expectations having lost their last three matches and now facing a team that have not lost a set since Xmas. With a full bench including three debutants at this level the coach selected to start with a blend of youth and experience although with two main setters missing this was partly forced on him. The setting roles fell first to newcomer Natalie Schultze alongside the experienced Gary Mower. Tom Storkey (captain) hit outside with Jamie Forrester with Marcin Kawulski and Josh Onakomaiya middle attack. Both sides were quickly on the scoreboard but Chelmsford soon realised that they had keep Brentwood’s outstanding player Rees Warren quiet if they were to compete. It took some time to work on this meanwhile he had led the attack line to a 17-11 lead and despite excellent defensive work by the home team it was enough to help Brentwood run out 25-13 winners.
Set two say the introduction of player/coach Ken Edwards to set, Hisham Ruhomutally in the middle and Alicia Hector outside attack with Forrester, Schultze and Onakomaiya making way for them. From the off Chelmsford competed well and the recovery work in defence was a joy to see. Under more pressure form Hector and Storkey in attack the Brentwood side had to rethink and when Kawulski and Ruhomutally began to block the attacks Chelmsford were in touch at 7-7. But rethink they did and with Warren untouchable at the net Brentwood again eased away to 17-12. The rest of the set was oh so close but every 50:50 point just seemed to go against the home team and at the finish it was again Brentwood celebrating taking the set 25-18.
Set three saw the remaining Chelmsford players on court this time with Rob Smethurst and Thorsten Herbertz as the outside attack, Ruhomutally remaining on to be joined by Michael McCredie for his first game. Schultze returned for another steady and competent show of setting skills. If Brentwood thought they were in for an easy win, they were soon woken up as the Schultze – Smethurst combination got into gear with some hard cross court hitting from the well placed sets. When newcomer McCredie blocked Warren the bench went wild and the score moved to 12-11 in Chelmsford’s favour. From here on in it was nip and tuck with long rallies and both sides going full out to ground the ball. Warren came on to serve at 20-19 down and had to call on all his long experience of national league to ground out the points. Although Chelmsford used both a time out and substitutions to break his concentration it was to no avail and he led the fight back by the visitors. Chelmsford finally regained service at set point down and were unable to get further points going down 25-21 for a 3-0 defeat.
Speaking afterwards the coach was very pleased with his large squad ‘This was easily our best team performance of the year built on everyone playing their best. It was a joy to pick the team as no one let me down in any way. All through were some great performances and the new caps did us proud with several chasing the player of the match award that went to Natalie. If only we could have done this in some of the earlier matches we would have won. But it is possibly the most enjoyable 3-0 loss I have played in if that makes any sense!’