Newcastle (Staffs) vs London Knights
National Volleyball League Division 1
19/11/11
Keele University

Newcastle (Staffs) 3-0 London Knights
25-19, 25-21, 25-21

This was undoubtedly the toughest match that 'Castle have faced this season, but the fact that their young guns came through it in straight sets shows the character of the squad and their determination to get promoted at all costs. London Knights fought hard throughout the match, attacking with speed and power, but fragility in other areas of their game meant a 3-0 win for 'Castle.

With Yates unavailable to come on court through leg injuries, Ross struggling with his knee, Lovell having had an MRI on his shoulder and Bradbury nursing a shoulder tendon strain 'Castle looked vulnerable and Knights had a great chance to take away their 100% record. The first set saw 'Castle go out aggressively with Shenton and McKellar making big kills early on from Allen's setting. Saward was also looking effective in the front line playing in the opposite slot and the home team seemed comfortable. As the set went on Knights slowly but surely found their feet with setter Yamamoto playing an increasingly effective role, and his team managed to stay in touch with 'Castle. There was not enough in the tank for the visitors though and despite what became an almost complacent performance in the final quarter of the set they took it 25-19.

The start of the second set looked great for the home team as some clever switch blocking resulted in a giant wall of Shenton and McKellar going up in front of the visitors's passer-hitter who suffered three consecutive roof blocks, only to squirm the ball off the fingers with is fourth attempt. This was soemthing of a false dawn for 'Castle though, as Knights really went on the offensive and opened up a three point lead soon after the first technical timeout. There were holes starting to appear in the 'Castle block and defence and Knights main hitters began to kill the ball all too easily. The visitors' lead stretched further still, and whilst the scoreline stabilised giving 'Castle hope more had to be done. Allen had struggled to get a handle on the block on the right side all game and so Jenkins was introduced with immedaite impact. Roberts served tactically to force the Knights attack in one direction, as Yamamoto had strangely been replaced by their second setter. Knights didn't quite know what had hit them and responded emotionally complaining at every decision made by the referee despite seemingly inoccuous calls being made and within a matter of a few minutes 'Castle had taken the set 25-21 to go 2-0 up.

Looking at Knights' other results this season one thing is clear and that is that they don't give up or see anything as a lost cause. They made a string of further changes which indicated their strength in depth and that they are serious about their ambitions of promotion. Knights dominated the early part of the set and comfortably led at the first technical time-out 8-2. This lead was extended to 17-10 and it looked for to all that the set would be the first 'Castle had lost all season, but 'Castle worked their way back in. Williams came on to serve for his first point in NVL1 - another one off the 'Castle junior development production line, Lovell came off the bench to bolster the passing and defence unit for his first points of the season and Allen was introduced for a two-setter system. 'Castle were then on fire in all departments, defending the floor at all costs and putting Knights under pressure. The London team only had one response - pure emotion, taking out their frustrations on the ball and the officials and their error count began to soar. Jenkins scored two big kills and then served tough to take the set and the match for 'Castle, taking them from 17-21 down to win 25-21.

This win and other results on the day put 'Castle two wins ahead of all opponents with their next three NVL games against each of their nearest rivals. This is a crucial period of the season and depsite the glamour of taking on Super8s table toppers Leeds Carnegie in the cup next week 'Castle will not risk their injured players as they aim for promotion to the top flight.

Squad:
Allen, Bradbury, Heath, Jenkins, Lovell, McKellar, Roberts, Ross, Saward, Shenton, Williams, Yates