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Essex Conference B Chelmsford 2 lost to Exiles 2-3 Set scores 25-19, 22-25, 21-25, 25-22, 5-15 Chelmsford unable to finish what they started In their most recent Essex Conference B match, Chelmsford started strongly against Exiles but after four close sets were well beaten in the deciding fifth going down 15-5. Chelmsford captain and player of the match Steve Peacock played well throughout the game. Two of Chelmsford’s players just managed to get back from abroad in time for this game so some eleven players were available and were used in this local encounter with Exiles at Riverside Ice and Leisure Centre last Sunday (25th). Chelmsford were looking for a better performance than when the teams last met when they lost by three sets to one. Both sides started will with the Chelmsford first six being Peaocock and Bohannan setting, Reeve and Kawulski through middle attach and Herbertz and Ruffell outside attack. There was little to choose between them and the rallies were long and competitive with good defence shown by all the players on court. Chelmsford kept their narrow advantage from the fist rally and eventually ran out 25-19 winners. Chelmsford shuffled the team for each set and the second saw Feuchtmueller and Rahumotally start and Beare and Lambert join during the set. In this one, despite the changes, Chelmsford were unable to get a lead with Exiles finding holes in the deep corners of the Chelmsford court to place the ball. Exiles levelled the match with a 25-22 set. Chelmsford continued to shuffle the players for set three this time Edwards coming on to set. After a poor start where there were a few isolated unforced errors, Chelmsford fought back well with some excellent touches at the net from Rahumotally and Feuchtmueller but it was too late to catch up and the set was lost 21-25, Returning to the starting six from the first set with Edwards on setting Chelmsford managed to get back into the match with Herbertz playing a pivotal role in defence and Ruffell in attack. Peacock continued his steady game using the ball intelligently and leading by example. The set score 25-22 showed that Exiles were still dangerous but set up a deciding fifth set. Sadly the final set did not keep up the high standard of the previous four. Exiles raced to a 6-0 lead with fine serving by Hales and never looked back oozing confidence to take the set 15-5 and the match 3-2. Speaking later coach Edwards said ‘This was a tough and well fought game. Both sides were playing good volleyball and it could have gone either way. With a large squad we hoped they might tire out by the fifth, but that early service run just sunk us which was shame as everyone had played so well. Hast of to Steve who played a captain’s role and was on court throughout – he was a deserved player of the match. I also was pleased that Jeff Beare played well in his first outing for us and to Thorsten Herbertz whose defence was excellent – in fact I think for four sets at least we all played on top form. A final plaudit to Luke French who refereed it well and in good humour and rightly picked Steve for the award’. Chelmsford’s club night on 29th (tonight) will be a women’ evening at Anglia Ruskin University and their final Conference game is away against Romford on 9th May. |