Tendring vs Newcastle (Staffs)
National Volleyball League Division 1
29/10/11
Tendring Technology College

Tendring 0-3 Newcastle (Staffs)
16-25, 12-25, 15-25

'Castle made their fourth long away journey of the season with the 500 mile round-trip from North Staffordshire to the far east of Essex and Tendring. This was the first time the clubs have ever met at senior level, though both have long been established names in junior development - and Tendring's rise through the senior NVL ranks coincides with the arrival of former 'Castle favourite and long time captain Neil Masters, who played in the 'Castle colours from 1997-2005.

Without the unavailable Stewart Ross who has looked unstoppable on the training court, 'Castle started with Yates opposite Allen, Shenton and Bradbury as passer-hitters, Roberts and McKellar in the middle and Heath as libero. In the early period of the game 'Castle slowly asserted their authority, largely from the service line and through their additional power at the net. However, it was not straight forward and Tendring were having some joy with their use of the height of the 'Castle block, wiping-off the blocking hands too often for the liking of coach Lovell. Tendring's attack's became increasingly limited by their serve receive and with the flow to the wings becoming more predictable the 'Castle block and defence began to dominate. Yates and Allen in particular were able to line-up the block accurately giving middle blocker Roberts in particular a field-day. Lovell switched his line-up around to intorduce both Jenkins and Saward, and it was the ever reliable Saward who wrapped up the set with a sharp kill of a Tednring overpass.

'Castle started the second set with the same line-up as the first and the players entered the court with the assertive attitude that they had take in the latter phase of the opening set. Tendring were innovatively using the two-libero rule to spread the pressure between their young passers - with 'Castle dogmatically refusing to serve at Masters such was their respect of their former teammate's passing ability. This put immense pressure on Tendring who were unable to respond effectively and although both Shenton and Bradbury were well below par on the left side, Allen linked well with Yates who was in great form. Saward and to a lesser degree Jenkins again featured as Lovell mixed up the pack as 'Castle swept to a 25-12 win.

Despite being down, and missing a number of influential players due to injury, Tendring kept on fighting and England Junior Sonny Chaney contributed well, reducing the pressure on Masters. 'Castle looked like they were crusing and after a lapse follwoing the first technical timeout their lead was cut from 5 to just 2 points. The players regaiend their composure and killer intrinct and McKellar stamped his mark on the match with a big kill in through the middle. Saward again entered the fray, and had the chance to end the match with a brilliantly cut line shot which Chinnery scrambled up in defence, only for 'Castle to finish the match a point later.

The 'Castle team now take on none-league Barnsely in the Cup at 12 noon at Madeley, before resuming their league campaign a fortnight later on the 19th November against London Knights at Keele 6pm.

Squad:
Allen, Bradbury, Heath, Jenkins, Lovell, McKellar, Roberts, Saward, Shenton, Yates