PVC slay the champions ... again

There are times when a job needs to be completed. Filling in the tax return. Getting the MOT done. Clearing out the loft. Washing and hoovering the car. Sweeping up the garden leaves. Sometimes the task at hand is onerous and unwanted. 

But sometimes it is eagerly anticipated, and attacked with vigour and enthusiasm.

So it was on this fateful Friday. Few matches remain in the Men's league, and Hermitage are the only serious challengers to the unstoppable might that has been PVC Men this year. Almost 5 months ago, PVC took the away match in a close-fought 2-1 victory at Whitwick, with a bare-bones squad of just 6. Probably an unexpected result to Hermitage, the 2005-6 League Champions.

This time, almost the entire PVC squad was here for the home match. In addition, the mightly cheerleader that is Luke Johnson was there to start every chant, every clap. Chris started with himself & Keith setting, Mike and Dave through the middle, Jordan & Paul through 4. A bench of keen players waited to take their place, if needed.

Some sets are turning points. The first in this match was played at high tempo, both teams keen to stamp their authority on the match. PVC took an early lead and held it for much of the set, with some very solid setting from the boys, Jordan warming up nicely through 4, but the other attack line up also playing a strong part, both hitting well, and intelligently placing the ball to win points. 

Then around 20, the lead changed hands. Suddenly it was a point-by-point battle. PVC had a match point, but failed to clinch the set. Then Hermitage had an opportunity to close things out, but again were thwarted by a determined PVC...and then it was over. 28-26 to PVC.

With some teams, this might be the end of the fight, but not Hermitage. Another close set took place, with PVC letting a couple of runs go in Hermitage's favour: in particular with one player putting across some excellent floating serves, very hard to control. The result was that, despite the same 6 on court, PVC dropped the second 25-18.

And so to the final set. Chris decided that both he & Keith needed a break, and moved Mike from 3 to setting alongside a fresh Geoff. Lee came on through the middle, and we started on 'the winning side' of court. The third set was highly charged, with some very solid service receive, particularly from Lee. Paul was hitting well through four, as he had the entire match, and Jordan was firing on all cylinders. Dave provided the usual solid play through the middle. We swapped ends in the lead, and for the last half of the set PVC took complete control to finish the set off 25-15.

A well fought and well deserved 2-1 victory, which puts the team in a very strong position in the league. Huge thanks to all the Johnson's, Karen, and indeed the men who didn't get onto court for the match, for fantastic support.

Roll on Wyggy and Gartree....

Squad
Chris (c), Geoff, Mike, Keith, Raj, Martin, Lee, Dave, Paul, Jordan