Tendring Men 3 - 0 Nasze UK Intervolley Manchester

25:12, 25:14, 25:15

Tendring Men 3 - 0 Cardiff Celts

25:23, 25:18, 25:22

Report by Neil Masters

Tendring remain unbeaten after two wins at home reinforced their title aspirations.

Saturday’s fixture saw a struggling Manchester side make the long journey south, hoping to win their first match of the season. Tendring was in not in a charitable mood and what can only be described as a clinical performance overcame their opposition 3-0 in just under an hour.

Tendring’s penetrative middle attack was in impressive form. Both Matt Gagner and Sonny Chaney won several points each, stretching the opponent's block and in-course helping Tendring’s other attackers. Chaney also had an outstanding service run which included 4 aces. But Libero Andy Styan won the match MVP for his excellent passing and defence which demoralised the Manchester attack.

Sunday’s fixture was always going to be more challenging. Cardiff Celts had only suffered one league defeat and were looking to improve their own promotion ambitions.

In the first set both teams traded point for point or any small leads were quickly eradicated. It was only until the later stages of the set did Tendring sustain a lead long enough to affect the opposition’s mindset.

Set two saw the early exchanges follow the same pattern as set one, but with a series of excellent defensive and attacking plays by Ryan Vorderer, Tendring broke the mould and created a small difference in the scores. Cardiff were never able to make up the difference and with Tendring’s Squad depth allowing them to strengthen their attacking options the set began to fade for Cardiff.

With a 2-0 lead and against dangerous opposition, matches can sometimes turn. Cardiff now going for every shot without fear of the consequences built up a 5 point lead early on in the fourth. It was up to MVP Marc McLaughlin to lead the Tendring attack by creating opportunities for the attackers to become more successful. Tendring’s defence stepped up and managed to keep the ball in play when most teams would have failed. McLaughlin continued to confuse the opposition Cardiff’s lead was gradually whittled down. Solid play by Colton Smethurst and Captain Stuart Dove complemented by substitutes Logan Zotovich and Bastien Chabe-Ferret enabled Tendring to continue their high level of performance throughout the remainder of the third set. Cardiff fought to the end and with the score being 21-21 still had high hopes of starting a comeback. But with McLaughlin at the service line their pass and attack became ineffective and Tendring sealed the 3-0 win with dominance.

Tending have a break from league action but will be in action next Saturday against Norwich in the Shield Competition.