Match day one for Worthing in the Div2 was always going to be a tough game, away to Dulwich Tusker who narrowly lost out in a playoff match to go into Division1. The core of last year's team were there but Gem and Agi stayed home to hang out with Todd and Oscar and the newbies couldn't play either, Paulina was on a Marco weekend and Tracy had dislocated a finger earlier in the week against Dolphins1. Although she showed great team spirit and came along to support!
The morning started well with the sun shining and a smooth drive up to Tooting with DJ Brinee putting on an old Skool R&B set with the odd S Club 7 or hard rock thrown in for Trees. There was even time for a quick coffee pit stop/toilet break for those with weak bladders on route.
The starting line-up for each set was Chantelle and Trees through the outside, Brinee and Em in the middle and Sintija and Mel opposite and setter.
While the first two sets looked close 25-23 and 25 - 20 in reality after a great first point with a text book pass from Chantelle, a lovely set and a power hit down the line from Sintija, Tuskers dominated the early rallies and Worthing were kept in the sets though their errors rather than good play. Worthing struggled with the basics they usually excel at including serving and serve receive and the tension on the court was palpable with even the usual up-beat Sintija getting emotional and making errors trying to force the issue. Late rallies in both sets gave a glimmer of hope and strong vocal support from Tracy and Amy on the bench and our two supporters Chandelle's mum and Craig on the horn, drums and tambourine helped lift the team. At 16 - 22 down in the first set it was strong serving from Chantelle that turned the game and got is to 23 - 22 before Worthing choked at the end losing the next 3 points.
A more positive start in the third set meant that Worthing trading points this time from the start and at the first technical time out were only one point behind. They started to push from here and slowly fought their way back into the third set. A better first ball in gave Mel setting options which she used wisely and this meant that the hits improved and for the first time they got to 16 first (16-14) from here they pushed hard. Some good hitting from Chantelle and Sintija carried the team over the line, but it was the return of the solid serve throughout the team and great first balls in from Trees (who seemed to magically be wherever the ball was going), that really made the difference, putting Dulwich on the back foot and stopping them running as many combination attacks.
In the fourth it was back to the slow start and it looked to have cost them the momentum and probably the set when they were 6-1 down. However Sabrina was starting to find her range and got Worthing back in the game and to 6-9 in front. A wobbly spell lead to high emotions on court but the team reacted positively with everyone covering well and Em settled nervous with a "Scum"-esq style piece of nonchalance pirouetting and hitting to a massive gap at 1, that was followed by a fantastic pick up in the next point which nearly gave everyone else palpitations in her current state! At this point the adrenaline on court was pumping and the crowd were generating energy and a fantastic atmosphere (just wait until we add the Latvians into the mix!). Emma's serving took us to 20-10, supported by Sabrina making a couple stuff blocks that Crockett would have been proud of! Everyone finally settled into their usual style of play finishing the fourth set strong and looking keen to get into the final set!
Again in the final set Sabrina started serving well with two aces and forcing a couple of shanks to give Worthing a 5-2 lead. Worthing went into the change of ends 8-6 up with Chantelle serving and the front court working hard Brinee made another stuff block and crowd were lovin' it! the score was 15-7 and a happy start to Div2 for Worthing. MVP went to Chantelle!
The next games are 18th October home to South Hants and 19th October away to Richmond - Come along and cheer them on!
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