Bridgend Volleyball Club

30th November

Bridgend v Bristol

We didn’t get off to the best of starts with only 6 players for what is traditionally a closely contested match against our “local” rivals. In recent years, Bridgend have had the upper hand against Bristol, beating them to a play-off place in the past 2 years.

With a squad severely ravaged by injury and sickness, we were left with an “experienced” team of: Cheeky and Pawel on the wing; Vasilios setting; Roberto at 2; Steve in the middle and ….. believe it or not …. Gazza filling in at the middle.

It was nice to see Jonny “One Leg” Davies make another appearance, keeping one foot in with the team. He helped out as a 2nd ref and I’m sure he helped us out as much as he could!

Bristol in comparison had enough players to form 2 teams and towered over us with some new faces from previous years. After losing the 1st Set 25-17, we bounced back and played one of the best defensive sets for a long time.

We took the 2nd set 25-19. Pawel picked up the biggest hits they could offer. Cheeky hitting with aggression at 4. It took a lot out of us and with no substitutes, the more senior players found the going tough. Bristol, on the other hand, were able to bring on fresh faces and had more attacking options. As a result, we lost the next 2 sets: 25-8 and 25-17.

We hope for a turn in fortune for the new year. Please hurry up and get well team and for all those unfit one’s in the team – go easy on the booze and scoff over Christmas!!!!

16th November

Bridgend v Wiltshire Mavericks

We took on the tall team of Mavericks and had a relatively large team to choose from. Well 8 players is good for us! The 1st set was very tight. We got off to a good start but allowed Mavericks to get back into the game with too many unforced errors. We lost 25-23.

The next 2 sets improved immensely. We cut down on our own errors and with much better digging, Vasilios was able to split the block with his setting. We took the next 2 sets: 25-17, 25-17.

However, in the process Vasilios jarred his knee. He lost his mobility and although he soldiered on, we allowed too many errors to creep back into our own game. We lost the next 2 sets: 25-22 and 15-11.

Bridgend v Newbury

After the loss to Mavericks, we were totally deflated. It was hard to pick ourselves up after losing the game rather than Mavericks winning it. Vasilios was injured so Coach Andy stepped in to take over setting duties.

He equipped himself admirably and we took the first 2 sets comfortably: 25-21 and 25-19. The first game was still hanging over us and weighing us down.

As a result, we never really showed what we are capable of. Andy had to leave after the 2nd set, so Roberto took over setting responsibilities. We left it late but took the final set 27-25.

We were glad to get that day over and done with!

21st September

Bridgend V New Forest

Our first triangular was a home tie against new side New Forest. We were without Vasilios for this weekend, so coach Andy stepped in to set (he dusted off the cobwebs and reread his setting manuals). It was a start for a couple of new faces, to go alongside the old guard.

Pawel and Guy made their debuts, at positions 4 and 3 respectively. Will continued at 2; Steve in the middle with Paul and Gareth also at 4. Overall, it was a good, solid start from us and while New Forest didn’t offer a great deal of resistance it was good to see us keep our concentration as we took the match in straight sets: 25-10, 25-12, 25-16.

Bridgend V Milton Keynes

The second match against MK would prove to be a sterner test for the home team. In previous years, Bridgend have played many close games against Milton Keynes with them all being 5 setters (Bridgend coming out on top mind!!).

Milton Keynes were missing some key players, especially some tall middle fellas. Great serving and passing from us saw us control the game during the important points as we closed the match out again in straight sets: 25-14, 25-21, 25-24.

12th October

Bridgend V Coventry and Warwick Riga 2

On the 12th October, we played a single fixture for a change. This time we were against one of the new teams in our division, Coventry and Warwick Riga 2.

We were hoping to make our home advantage count (playing at our home venue, Caerleon) but due to a somewhat typical twist of fate, we were lucky to get 6 players on the court.

With Pawel in Poland (getting hitched), Gareth on holiday (Weymouth) and Jonny out with a broken leg … what else could go wrong? Our new recruit Guy twisted his ankle during the last training session. Who would now play in that much sought after (NOT!) middle position?

Sweeping majestically like a cat that had got the cream (well, he did have his girlfriend in tow), in comes Benoit to save the day.

Now to the match report … Bridgend got off to a disastrous start. I’ve rarely seen all 6 of us asleep at the same time but before we knew it, we were 0-6 down. Andy called a timeout which seemed to have woken us up. We finally caught Riga up and overtook them to take the 1st set 25-18.

Second set and we were in full flow, great blocking from Steve and Vasilios, Ben and Roberto. We took that set 25-14.

In the third, we eased up slightly but were never out of control as we took that 25-18 again. Paul and Will were hitting well at 4; great setting from Vasilios and super defence from Roberto.

It’s a great start so far but judging from results it looks like another close tussle between us, Solent and fierce local rivals Bristol. Let’s see if we can get the whole team together next time!!!