Opponents: City of Bristol 1
Competition: National League Division 1
Date: Saturday 29th March 2008
Venue: University of Bristol
Result: L 3-0 (20-25, 20-25, 15-25)
Headline: Bristol punish Docklands' errors
Author: Andy Hopper

London Docklands Volleyball played only their third league match of 2008 at the weekend and their lack of match practice showed as they slumped to a three set defeat away to City of Bristol 1. Docklands coach Ian Legrand was again unable to select from a full squad with Efe Eruero out injured for the rest of the season and Klaus Thummert and Jesse Kaptein on holiday. This meant that regular libero Alexis Blair was switched to outside hitter, the first time he had played this role since Docklands' victory in the London Challenge final of 2006. Legrand gave a debut to new Italian signing Davide Grandolfo as libero and Boris Halatchev was again back to play his 93rd match moving him into the top 10 of Docklands all time appearances - this brings Halatchev level with Sean Marshman who was watching this match from the stands.

Bristol had not defeated Docklands in their eleven previous attempts and up until recently had been threatened with relegation but with Jiri Petrash making his first home appearance since last year the home side started confidently. The game remained tight until 15-14 but kills by Petrash and Matt Pierce opened up a three point lead for Bristol. Legrand called a time out but the delay did not impact on Bristol's momentum as two consecutive Docklands' errors gifted Bristol an even greater advantage. Blocks by Halatchev and Alex Gaitan gave Docklands a chance at 22-19 but two more Docklands' hitting errors put paid to that hope as Bristol took the set 25-20.

In the same fixture last season Docklands played their first match as league champions and strolled their way to an easy 3-0 win. Only three Docklands players who played that day were on court but the London side started to look more like champions at the start of the second set as two blocks by Gaitan and aces by Primus and French helped them into a 7-2 lead. However, after a Petrash kill Docklands pressed the self destruct button as three consecutive hitting errors let Bristol back into the set. Docklands managed to stabilise their sideout game until a Petrash block on French and two more Docklands errors saw Bristol take a 14-12 lead. Another cluster of three Bristol blocks gave them an unassailable lead and they coasted to a 25-20 win.

Legrand shuffled his rotation at the start of the third set, introducing Enrico Savioa and Adam Philips. Bristol took advantage as Docklands adapted to their new formation and the home side raced into a 7-1 lead. Docklands were able to narrow the gap at 13-10 down after Bristol caught the Docklands hitting error bug but the mini-comeback was to no avail as a Tom Lord kill and then his service run took Bristol away again. In the end Bristol took the set 25-15 to seal a 3-0 win.

Docklands must now pick themselves up before two matches next weekend when they must win both games to at least finish in the top half of the table.

Black Knight: Davide Grandolfo

Docklands: Phillips 1 kill (7 attempts), Halatchev 2 (8), Riginelli 5 (21), French 6 (25), Blair 3 (14), Savoia 2 (8), Gaitan 1 (11), Primus 1 (3), Grandolfo (Libero).

Bristol: Kuchajewicz 3 (11), Pierce 1 (5), Polkingthorne 2 (4), Petrash 6 (16), Musalimov 6 (20), Bakare 0 (2), Burt 1 (5), Lord 5 (14), Gouiran (Libero). Sub not used: Sullivan.

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