I haven't even started writing this match report but have a feeling that i could waffle on due to the nature and length of the match, an epic 2 hours 15 mins. You have my since apologies if this is the case! Also I tend to forget to include the MVP so in case I do it was Paulina - well played!
Two cars travelled up to Essex to spend the day in a cold and dusty sports hall while the sun was shining outside. The journey up was pretty uneventful with only the cry of "eww hummus" as Chantelle spattered herself, which amused the rest of the car. Both cars arrive simultaneously and with an hour to spare, so spent the time chillin' in the sun munching on M&S goodies. Mel took a little trip, years of practice with glasses of wine showed as she didn't spill a drop of her coffee although had scrapes all up her arm and bruised her knee! Not the most auspicious of starts for our setter!
Set one had the Farley's through the middle, Paulina and Chantelle outside and Sintija and Mel opposite and setter. A few errors from Worthing saw them give momentum and an early lead to Essex. Paulina struggled early on with playing in a different system although was a natural by the end of the five sets and kept smiling throughout (a rarity I'm told). Both teams looked a little edgey and tense and they traded points until the number 25 from Essex served four on the bounce and from 16-12 Essex kept that gap until the end winning 25-20.
Not wanting to lose the first two sets again Worthing came out in fighting spirit but Essex matched them and their number 30 caused issues with the serve receive winning 7 points and giving Essex the lead 12-5. Paulina serving at 8-15 brought Worthing level was a fine display of float serving and supported by some big blocks front court. At 24-21 Worthing though they had the set in the bag but Essex had other ideas and the 25 brought them back to 25-24. With Essex at 26-25 Paulina dived low and to her right managing to get a strong hand to what looked like a sure winner for Essex, saving the point and keeping the team in the set. But still either team blinked with consistent serving and no one making errors the set kept going until Chantelle stepped up to serve at 29-29 to put Essex under pressure with solid deep serves and good first balls into Mel gave her options and a stuff block from Sintija (which she celebrated on her own!!) and a clever tip from Paulina got Worthing the set and back into the game - 31-29!
Oh to set three and after winning that mammoth set lasting 32 mins Worthing started stronger consistently getting runs of serve and putting Essex under pressure mixing hits with tips. The Brinne serve might not have been the beast it was against Richmond but it was made up for but intelligent hitting the "Byerly special" tip was employed to good effect and a couple of blocks front court had the girls dancing on court! Treesy as always covered big areas of court and did well calmly recycling hit after hit to keep the point alive and Worthing came out winners 25-20.
The fourth set again was a slow starter, service and simple tipping errors gave Trinity a boost that Worthing couldn't afford early on and they struggled to get back into the game. Chantelle's serving again helped but couldn't claw them back. Essex middles did well getting to the outside and we're getting a strong double block to both the Worthing outsides. Paulina did well wiping off them and finding some acute angled hits, but in the end Essex won 25-21.
Worthing went into their second five setter this season tentatively going into the time out 8-6 down and not serving well and at 13-9 heads were down. A good serve deep to one gave Worthing a free ball which Trees hoovered up and Mel gave Paulina a lovely set BOOM a kill to one. Sintija hit the next from back court and suddenly it was a different team - the noise levels were up and two shanks brought Worthing level. Chantelle pushed on and a block from Trees and another shank saw Worthing just claim the win! A good competitive match all round!
Although we have to play Essex in the cup in a few weeks and again at home - let's not have 5 sets there!
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