Tendring Men 1st 3 - 0 Team Northumbria/Middlesborough Academy

Report by Jermaine Miles

It’s the start of the new year and Tendring VC took on Team Northumbria for their first match back. Tendring came flying out the gates with a quick 8-3 lead, they were able to take the momentum forward with some strong hitting from the offensive and secure passing unit.  Northumbria tried hard to find some sort of spark but stellar defense from Jack Bruce they were unable to find an answer. Jack also lead the team in digs with a match high of 10 digs. Tendring were able to hold on to the lead at the technical leading by 8 points. Strong serving and clinical finishing is what helped Tendring keep the lead and seal the first set 25-12.

Again Tendring came out strong from the service line, putting the Northumbria serve receive under a lot of pressure, from there they were able to gain a comfortable 6-1 lead. Northumbria decided to step up a bit from the service line, putting the serve receive unit under a bit of pressure and limiting Tendring’s offence. Strong defense from Jack Bruce and strong attacking from Jermaine Miles, Tendring were able to edge out with a lead at the first Technical 8-5. From here the teams traded points and with a few errors creeping into Tendring’s offence, Northumbria lead at the technical 16-15. Again with the strong serving this time from James Chapman, Conor Walker and Stuart Dove, Tendring were able to force a time out from Northumbria who were clearly under pressure at 22-19 down. It was now time for Derek Sullivan to take control with a huge one-on-one block on the outside to make it 23-19. Tendring were able to see the set out comfortably 25-20.

The third set went the way the first set went with some strong serving and clinical attacking. Northumbria looked deflated and Tendring took advantage of this, a few more over passes were gifted to Tendring and they were able to cruise to an 8-4 lead at the first technical. With the players having a bit more fun on court and a solid passing unit, and a few blocks from Derek Sullivan; Tendring found themselves in a commanding position once again leading 16-11 at the second technical. By this point all Tendring needed was to remain clinical in their offense and stable in their passing; and that’s exactly what they did winning the set 25-17 and the match 3-0. 

MVP Jack Bruce