Opponents: Guildford International
Competition: National League Division 1
Date: Saturday 22nd September 2007
Venue: American School Cobham
Result: W 3-0 (25-20, 25-20, 25-22)
Headline: Riginelli shows Docklands the way
Author: Andy Hopper

London Docklands Volleyball have secured their second win of the season against Guildford International to move to the top of the early league table. For the second week in a row Docklands faced a team promoted from Division 2 and even though they have recruited two experienced Division 1 veterans in Ian Towers and Marc Booth, on this showing Guildford are going to find it tough going in the top flight.

Docklands had the same eight players available as last week so coach Ian Legrand had little option but to go with the same line-up that saw off London Lynx in four sets. Both sides edged their way into the match until a block and kill by Efe Eruero gave Docklands a 7-5 advantage. Further scores by Klaus Thummert and Martin Blake stretched Docklands' lead to 14-8 and the league champions were in control. Some determined play by Guildford prevented Docklands from stretching their lead but consistent hitting by Francesco Riginelli helped to ensure Docklands took the set 25-20.

Docklands continued their dominance at the start of the second set with three consecutive aces by Thummert taking them into an early lead. The pressure was on the home side and this showed itself as two Guildford hitting errors in a row saw Docklands go 9-3 up. However, complacency seemed to drift into some of Docklands' play as Guildford cut down their errors and forced their way back into the set. The left handed Jayson McAlpine was proving to be an awkward middle hitter to defend against and with Guildford varying how they deployed their captain he drove his side back onto level terms at 16-16. A Legrand time out steadied the Docklands ship and with Alexis Blair dominating his side's service receive and defence, Docklands' superior ball control made the difference at the business end of the set. The officials missed the fact that Guildford played the last five points of the set out of rotation but it didn't matter as Riginelli despatched the last point to seal the set 25-20.

The third set proved to be a much tighter affair with neither side able to gain any sort of lead early on. It wasn't until two blocks in a row by Eruero and Riginelli that the scores were more than one point apart as Docklands went ahead 13-11. However, some sloppy Docklands play gifted Guildford a way back into the set forcing Legrand to take a time out 17-15 down. Again at the critical part of the set it was Docklands' greater experience that was the difference between the two sides as setter Danny Primus used all his hitters to good affect. He also chipped in with a service ace as Docklands completed the match with a 25-22 third set win.

Riginelli was awarded the man of the match award for the second weekend in a row and with the third set fresh in his mind commented, "That was a miracle. How we can play so badly and still win." Legrand added, "We are still improving but will have to step up to another level for next weekend as Sheffield will provide us with a whole set of different problems."

Docklands first home match of the season will also be Sheffield's opening match of their league campaign. The northern team are one of the favourites to win the championship this season after the return of ex-professional Andy Sinclair. However, Docklands' squad will be boosted by the arrival of Nathan French who has been on international duty with the England Juniors for the first two weekends of the season.

The match is also the first time Docklands will share their venue with ladies team Swiss Cottage. Swiss are also in Division 1 and have started their first ever season in the top flight with two victories. They take on the 2005/06 league and cup double winners Wolverhampton before Docklands' match. All the action starts at 12.00pm at Bacon's College, Rotherhithe.

Black Knight: Francesco Riginelli

Docklands: Riginelli 21 kills (27 attempts), Blake 3 (6), Thummert 7 (17), Savoia 6 (10), Eruero 5 (10), Primus 0 (3), Blair (Libero). Sub not used: Gaitan.

Guildford: McAlpine 7 (16), Cernich 6 (10), Kernchen 0 (3), Booth 6 (13), Richardson 1 (2), Vlcek 8 (14), Towers 7 (23), Rajaski (Libero).

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