Match Report

Oxford MNVL vs York

Date:
27 Nov 2010
Location:
York University
Result:
3-0 (25-16, 25-18, 25-15)
MVP:
Martijn Stroo
Players:
Jamie Walls (opposite), Paul Swift (middle), Scott Hale (middle), Richard White (outside), Martijn Stroo (outside), Michael D'Angeli (setter), Jon Williams (libero)

Comments

"

With plenty of snow forecast for 'the North', there was some kerfuffle early on Saturday morning, with anxious texts flying back and forth. Luckily, we got reassuring news from Rich, who had gone up early. Encouraged, we gathered to march on York. A slight delay ensued, however, before we managed to jam Paul, Martijn and Scott into the back of Jamie's car.

It had been a month since our last match (owing to Sheffield II dropping out of the league), so we expected to be a little match-rusty. If we were, it didn't show too badly, with Oxford taking the first set 25-16. York had few big hitters - one Polish player with nice technique who hit hard cross, and a guy with dreads who hit hard, but made plenty of errors. In the second set, Oxford relaxed, and dropped to a 13-10 lead (nota bene - a coach-player should really serve in after a time-out). Luckily, we rapidly made up the deficit (13-13) and finished the set 25-18. The third set was somewhat anti-climactic. Oxford played efficiently if unspectacularly, while York's best player went home. As a result, York went down 25-15. A controversial serve out ended the match.

Oxford lost concentration at times, but there were plenty of good things to bring away from the match. Good consistent setting from Mike, excellent defence from stand-in libero Jon, and Martijn, as ever, was ruthless in the attack. Let's hope we can continue in this vein next weekend, when we have a triangular against RAF Harriers and Team Northumbria. Two victories there would be a real mark of intent.

"

Report by Paul Swift

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