Perhaps it was playing the final session at 'the winning end'.  Maybe Jordan's lucky shoe pounding the floor relentlessly with the P-V-C chant helped give the team that extra lift.....perhaps Lucky Liz returned at just the right moment.

Who knows, but it was a very exciting match at Cannons on Friday.   There was more energy on court than we've had on a Friday for quite some time.  The first set kicked off, and the Ladies eased into a nice lead.  Sure, L'bro Ladies edged a number of points just over the net, and their efforts at overhead serves were laudable, but the PVC Ladies experience showed through.  Jane and Juliette performed well in their setting, with the back-court setter frequently getting in to offer options for attack.  Helen and Carol did a great job through the middle, both at the net but just as importantly, at the back of the court keeping the L'bro returns alive, and Christine & Anthea provided much-needed energy through 4.  The first set ran out 25-15 to PVC.

Set 2 saw Helen bring on the power of Myrto through the middle in place of herself, having been hit in the face in the first set.... but the set got off to a bad start with a couple of early rotational errors.  I blame the pesky second ref doing his job far too efficiently.....the ladies struggled to take control of the set and found themselves slipping steadily behind, despite efforts from the Cheerleaders, to lose 25-12.

 

An inspirational team talk from Helen that Steve McLaren could have learned from last week took the ladies into the deciding set.  Liz took to the fray, taking Anthea's place through 4 and throwing herself around to keep the ball alive in many rallies.  Once again, the team played with energy and enthusiasm, with a huge amount of effort to make sure the ball didn't drop unnecessarily.  The serving let the side down in the first half: at one point early on, 4 in a row were served out, giving the advantage to L'bro.  Just trailing half way, the sides changed ends, and suddenly we eased into a lead.   It was neck and neck around the low 20's.  The serving became more consistant and predictable (in a good sort of 'in' way :-), and PVC Ladies took the set and match with a Myrto smash, 25-22.  A well deserved first win of the season :-)

Thanks to Geoff & John for sturdy refereeing, even under challenge from Jordan (who himself did a top job as Chief Cheerleader....), and great score-keeping from Ellie as well ;-)

Corking match !

Squad
Helen (c), Jane, Julliette, Carol, Liz, Anthea, Christine, Myrto