Tendring VC back to winning ways after 3-1 victory over London Lynx

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Jerome Humes reports…

Tendring VC moved within one point off third place after beating London Lynx at the UEL SportsDock.

The visitors started the game well by winning the first five points thanks to their impressive front line. John Embrey, who has four votes for the MVP of the season, earned three of those for his side with a number of impressive blocks and recoveries.

London Lynx replied with three consecutive points, but by the time they put five on the board Tendring called for a time-out with the score at 10-5. Despite the home side’s best efforts they could not close the gap by more than four points for the duration of the set, and Tendring went on to claim the first 21-25.

In the second set Lynx showed a positive reply to their early disappointment by winning a remarkable twenty second rally. This spurred them on in a set which was tight for nearly its entirety with both sides exchanging point for point up to the 10-10 mark. Controversy came later in the set when Tendring strongly disagreed with an official’s out decision that gave Lynx the chance to go a point off taking the second set. The East London side took that opportunity through their outside hitter Shmidtke leaping and smashing the ball in to the corner to win the set 25-20.

The third set started for Lynx much like the second when they allowed Tendring to gain a six-point lead. Lynx, currently sitting third from bottom in Division 1, were able to close the gap to four points, but that was as close as they came. Tendring pushed on and claimed the first set through a powerful drive from Bruce to make it 25-21.

The fourth set began with both sides motivating their teammates to step up a gear and it was Tendring who seemed to shift into one quickly. Former Team GB player Alex Porter made some terrific blocks which rebounded back into the opposition’s side of the net to claim the first two points. Lynx replied by winning the next two points in quick succession, but they could not take the lead in the opening 16 points, and Tendring went into a time-out winning 10-6 from a deft tip by Baker.

At the restart Lynx emerged with four fresh players keen to close the gap and ensure Tendring did not seal the win after four sets. The away boys helped that cause by a fault on the serve, and Lynx were returned the ball along with a point, but the London side could not get level with a stubborn opposition front line.
At 24-22 it was Lynx’s last chance to stop two consecutive defeats to Tendring, but Embrey had other ideas and when his rebound was not returned he earned his side a three sets to one victory.

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