Disjointed Estonians Limp Past Motiviated Loughbourough

Saturday 30th Oct 2010

National League Div2 North

Brentwood Estonians 3 Loughbourgh Students 1

Any journey up the M1 is always a risk. But the Estonians expected the risk of loss to a Loughborough Students team languishing in the lower reaches of the table was less than a hour delay just outside Northampton. And so it proved - just. Playing in the inappropriately (for the Loughborough Students Team) named 'Victory Hall' the Estonians quickly realised that the biggest enemy in today's affair would be the after-effects of Thursday's 2-on-2 volley-a-thon on an unsprung floor. As such, the general pre-game vibe around the Estonians was a touch lethargic but more worryingly was apparent lack of focus for the task ahead. Perhaps the long journey had taken its toll?

The Estonians were missing star opposite, Boniolo, and Mr Middle, Tuck. But the Estonian bench players, Bailey and Frith, were more than ready to fill their boots. Set one started with a blast for the Estonians - a quick attack kill and stuff block from Frith set the ball rolling. The Estonians didn't have everything their own way though: the Students showed some good skill through 4 and used the opposite attack of Burvill effectively. However, the Estonians maintained a comfortable enough lead through the set and with Fenech finding Barnardi with aplomb the Students defence had no reply and the Estonians took the first set 25-17.

Set two proved a far more arduous task than expected. Worryingly, the Estonians first pass went awol for extended passages and the attack looked predictable. Field Marshal Fenech was not at his usual dominating best - the balmy hall conditions made setting tough for both teams and coupled with the handling fault shouts from the scorers table and too-frequent discussions with the referee, both setters lost some focus. And so, in a fragmented set, the Students took advantage and won the set 25-23.

Set three, and the Estonians came a out a much more determined bunch. Bailey hit high enough and well enough to continue being a safe hitting option. Watson Jnr, through 4, looked good with a low error rate and wiped off the block regularly. With the Students looking under the cosh, errors came. Clark found an unusual weak spot in the Students rotation: serving to position 2, the Students' setter suddenly looked ill-at-ease and error-prone. And the Estonians cashed and took the set 25-20.

In set four the Estonians just pushed on. Never looking at their best they maintained a lead and kept the pressure on the students. The Estonians middle attack wasn't used and hits through 4 and 2 had to do the job. And that was good enough. Estonians won the set 25-19 and with it, the match.

Overall, not a pretty performance. Underpar performances from most of the team, Barnardi, Bailey and Watson excepted: Estonians showed a fighting spirit which should serve them well over the season. However, the holism of the team needs to be rediscovered: the middle attacks must become the number one attack again and back court defence must dominate again. The Author has no doubt that this will be rectified for the big Cup game against the mighty London Docklands.

Player Ratings (Out of 10)

Dave Fenech - Perterbed by the crowd, team-mates and officials for too-long periods of the game today and this degraded his, usually first class, judgment. An opportunity, the AUthor feels, to teach an old dog some new tricks. Author's rating: 5.

James Bernardi - Barnardi was a positive and calm influence on court. Early in the game, the Fenech-Barnardi double act bore fruit. But this lessened as the game wore on. Voted the opposition's MVP for a high kill rate and great blocking performance on the Loughbrough 4 player. Author's rating: 8.

Ian Bailey - Second start of the season for Bailey. The Southend attacker looked wobbly early doors - and that wasn't just the effects of whiplash from a Coach Clark hit to the ear during the week. Bailey grew stronger as the game wore on and was a reliable hitting option for Fenech. Still needs to work on his defensive positioning and toughen up the serve. Author's rating: 7.

Rees Warren - Not a great day in the office for Warren. Not at full health, Warren still played a fair role for the team and did the basics well enough. But the team knows that Warren at full strength is paramount to the season's success. Author's rating: 4.

Andy Frith - Started off with a bang with a hit kill and block kill, and then unexpectedly anonymous for the rest of game. Despite being ever present in attack Frith was curiously shunned by Fenech. Author's rating: 6.

Jack Watson - Solid performance from Watson Jnr. Worked hard in defence and hit well through 4 as the Loughborough block was unsure how to handle Watson's wipe off hitting style. Author's rating: 7.

Tony Clark - Up and down day in defence for Clark. Got better as the game went. Always clever and found gaps in the Students defence to win points, but the power hits weren't there today. Author's rating: 5.

Chris Watson - No game today for Watson Senior. Author's rating: na.

Estonians shoot down young guns Northumbria

Saturday 23rd Oct 2010

National League Div2 North

Brentwood Estonians 3 Team Northumbria 1

The five hour journey for the Northumbria boys to the classic 1960's sports hall, which defines the Estonians' Sawyers Hall, must have been at least a little tiring. And that may explain their unexpected slowness around court. On the other hand, the Estonians looked pumped and ready. Clark started set one with his tried and trusted six: Fenech, Barnardi, Clark, Boniolo, Tuck, Watson Jnr and Warren as libero. Frith, Bailey and Watson Snr started on the bench; desperate for court time.

Northumbria had the better of the early exchanges and it looked like a difficult afternoon was ahead for the Estonians. However, the Estonians's service receive was bang on and Fenech soon found his setting range and teed up Barnardi and Tuck at regular point-scoring intervals. Boniolo got in the act, too, delivering dramatic hits which Northumbria could neither block nor pick up. Very quickly, the Estonians comfortably won the set 25-16.

Set two was a nightmare for Team Northumbria. Under float service pressue from Boniolo and Watson Jnr, the boys from the North simply could not provide a good enough receive. Even quicker then set one, the Estonians were racing to set victory without breaking sweat. Set win ensued: 25-10.

Set three and Northumbria picked their game up a notch or two. But not enough to threaten the Estonians in the early to mid stages of the game. At 16-12, the Estonians looked to have the game under control. But then...was it presumptiousness? Did they relax? Inexplicably, the wheels came off the Estonians previously rock solid service receive. And when you don't pass well, you don't win. Estonians deservedly lost their first set of the season 23-25.

The intra-set team talk contained some nervousness but assuredness from steady-hands Barnardi, Clark and Tuck settled the Estonians. Back on court, the Estonians' service receive was back on track and business as usual resumed. There was no danger in set 4 and the Estonians strolled to victory 25-12.

A good, all-round team performance from the Estonians. The inability to see out victory in three sets should be analysed by the team: the brief period of taking victory for granted in set three did not cost in this game, but who knows about the rest of the season? Estonians will re-group in training and hammer home the ethos that nothing, abosolutely nothing is won until the very end.

Player Ratings (Out of 10)

Dave Fenech - Solid today from Fenech. Distributed the attacks and rarely got it wrong. Poised and calm during the intermittent periods of Northumbria pressue. Author's rating: 7.

James Bernardi - Well used by Fenech today and almost always a point-winning avenue. Imposed himself well over his opposite number, such that the Northumbria middles were rarely in the game. Author's rating: 7.

Andy Tuck - . The season's most consistent performer so far. Tuck did the middle's dirty work and Fenech trusted him with a plentiful supply of attacking short passes: of which he made full usage. Author's rating: 8.

Alex Boniolo - Another MVP display from Boniolo - exciting hitting and the mother of all float serves. However, the team know he can deliver more. Not beating about the bush, Barnardi sums it up in his 'h'-less Italian drawl: 'Alessio has finally decided to perform. Can eee perform under pressure though?' Author's rating: 7.

Jack Watson - Not Watson Jnr's best or worst performance today. Had some good run of serves, passed well on the whole, and hit effectively. Author's rating: 6.

Tony Clark - Good start from Clark: played with effervescence and guile. Looked a little tired as the game went on. Author's rating: 6.

Rees Warren - Good performance again as the Estonians' main defence man. Gave Fenech ample opportunity to pass wherever he wanted. Author's rating: 7.

Ian Bailey - Briefly used but took advanatge of his time with big hits through 4 and some fine stuff blocking. Author's rating: 7

Chris Watson - No court time for Watson Snr today. Author's rating: na.

Andy Frith - Like Bailey, used only briefly. Defended and hit well, but unfortunately his appearance on court coincided with the service receive's only extended period of poor receiving. Author's rating: 6.

Stuttering Estonians o-o-o-vercome Canterbury

Saturday 10th Oct 2010

National Cup Round One

Brentwood Estonians 3 Canterbury Students 0

Riding high on the back of two straight League wins, the Estonians came up against the non-league Canterbury Students in the National Cup first round. A late change of venue meant the game was played in the unusually balmy climes of Dartford. And the Estonians petrol bills were thankful for that. The warm up was an unusually relaxed affair: the Estonians, despite missing Italian hitting machine Boniolo and Tyro Watson Jnr, were clear favourites and the Canterbury boys looked less than convincing. However, a job needed to be done and the Estonians have not yet been guilty of taking games lightly.

Set one was a comfortable affair. Despite a rejigged formation with Watson Snr at setter, Bernardi and Warren through four, Bailey at two, and Tuck and Frith through the middle the Estonians always looked in control. Canterbury's outside attack seemed nervous of the Estonians giant block and their middle attack was almost always late as not to be a threat. Watson, on the other hand, found his middles with game-winning regularity. Both Tuck and Frith, in the air whenever Watson Snr had the opportunity and desire to pass to them, were the attacking thorn in the Canterbury boys' behinds. So much so, that Frith was named referee's MVP and Tuck the player's MVP.

The first pass throughout the match was not up to the higher standard of the previous matches, but it was good enough for Watson Snr to make the attacking decisions rather than the pass making it for him. And Watson Snr made those decisions fairly well - despite having had more than his share of bench time, Watson Snr looked sharp even after a chancing elbow on the head from Frith: another disadvantage of being vertically challenged. The first set was finished off professionally and 25-17 to the Estonians was a fair reflection of the set.

Set two was fair closer than it should have been. The Estonians weren't doing anything particularly badly, things just looked a bit off the pace and the defence lapsed into mediocrity. And those mistakes kept Canterbury in the set. However, the Estonians had enough of the foot on the gas to edge the set 25-23.

Set three resembled set one in score and standard. The Canterbury defence couldn't provide enough good balls for their red setter (not of the four legged, but of the hair colour, variety) to weave any magic. But the Estonians could. Warren and Bernardi, through four, provided clinical finishes to rallies and Bailey, although not at his best overall hit at angles which were as hard to defend as they were unorthodox. As set one, the Estonians were untroubled and eased to a 25-16 win. And, thus, the victory was sealed.

Player Ratings (Out of 10)

Chris Watson - Full game for Estonians second setter. Used the good pass very effectively and helped his middles look good. Canterbury couldn't read him at all and Estonians hitters took full advantage. Author's rating: 7.

James Bernardi - Playing out of position at four, Bernardi was a hitting threat at the net. However, a lower success rate when hitting off the net or back court. Service receive lacked foot movement at times and resulted in a lower percentage of good recieves. However, provided excellent organisation at the net and led the block with aplomb. Author's rating: 6.

Andy Tuck - A continuation of a great start to the season by Tuck. Omnipresent as an attacking option and dependable all around court, Tuck's lack of height in the jump is more than made up for his ability to hit around the block. Author's rating: 8.

Ian Bailey - First start of the season for Bailey. The Southend attacker was a touch off the pace in today's affair. Had some excellent moments, but general consistency is not up what Bailey can be. Author's rating: 5.

Rees Warren - Opportunity to hit for Warren today. And he grabbed it with both hands (not literally, as that would be a set). Receiving was good but not at his best. Hit well through four and his postive attitude helped keep the team buoyed. Author's rating: 7.

Andy Frith - As with Bailey, Frith's first start of the season. And Canterbury were the victims of his frustration at elongated bench time: with Watson, their timing was metronomic and he picked the gaps in the Canterbury defence with ease. Defensively sound back court but not as active in the block as he would have liked. Author's rating: 8.

Dave Fenech - Almost invisible on court from setter Fenech: which is reasonable as he spent the game on the bench. Author's rating: n/a

Tony Clark - Coaching only today from Clark. Calm at time-outs and offered good snippets of advice, without information overload. Author's rating: n/a.

Estonians outsmart Oxford Students

Saturday 9th Oct 2010

National League Div2 North

Brentwood Estonians 3 Oford Students 0

Last week's rout of the Harriers had left the Estonians buoyant but not assured. Were Estonians title contenders, or were their opposition particularly weak? Views around the club were mixed. Midweek training had been tough, especially for the middles. But player/coach Tony Clark's confidence was high upon the visit to the dreamy spires of Oxford. Alas, the Blackbird Leys Sports Centre was less prim and more dim as the Estonians adjusted their eyes to the badly lit hall and rued their preparation as no-one had packed night sight goggles.

Analysis of the opposition during warm-up showed Oxford could be handy, but a makeshift setter and an invisible middle attack meant the Estonians felt easier about the task ahead. And that confidence was appropriate: the first set, like the first set against the Harriers, was men against boys. The Oxford students might have passed their exams with straight As, but they passed the volleyball with flat a C-. Jack Watson's float serve was too good for the Oxford defence and the whole team knew their job: the transition from well-oiled defence to accurate, cosmopolitan attack was several grades above their studious opposition. First set: 25-8 to Estonians.

Deja vu is an oft over-used phrase, but the intra-set team talk was full of it as the result was so similar to last week's first set. The question was: would the Estonians continue to blow away the opposition or would they involuntarily ease off as last week? Set two, and 8-7 down at the first technical time-out, quickly revealed that the Estonians' mental toughness is not as strong as their A game. However, strong service receive from libero, and deserved MVP, Warren and Watson Junior meant attacking general Fenech usually had at least two options in attack. The Estonians attack, although wayward and nomadic at times, was good enough to eke out the second set win. Estonians winning 25-22.

Set three followed a similar pattern to set two: the Students were improved but were never good enough for an Estonians team which, in truth, was playing in 3rd gear: Estonians winning 25-21, and with it the match. Happy with the win and happy with the performance at times, the Estonians post-match analysis was tinged with a frustration that the blazing A-game of set one drifted into B- for sets two and three: coach Clark is likely to insist on extra homework before the top of the table encounter with Northumbria on the 27th Oct.

Player Ratings (Out of 10)

Dave Fenech - Mr Solid at setter had consistent service today, and Fenech knows how to make the most of it. Regularly finding his middles, especially Tuck, Fenech distributed well all game. So much so, he won the honour of the Author's MVP. Author knows this will mean a lot to him. Author's rating: 8.

Tony Clark - Fairly quiet day in the office for Clark. But his legendary low percentage of errors and good quality team-stewardship sets him apart. Author's rating: 6.

James Bernardi - At his towering best against the Harriers, Bernardi was not at his best in today's affair: a higher than normal error-rate on attack and the metronomic timing between Bernardi and Fenech was unusually inconsistent. That said, Bernardi was still far too good for the Students less than effective middles. Author's rating: 6.

Alessio Boniolo - Boniolo's power and accuracy unnerved the Students from his first hit in set one, and that one first hit was the single biggest cause of the Estonians set one destruction of the Students. A little up and down as the game continued, Boniolo maintained a solid defensive game. Author's rating: 7

Jack Watson - Again, a good performance by Watson junior. His serve was again too good for the opposition's defence and his pass was particularly good. Offensively, Watson is effective, but the author knows that a little extra height and less forward momentum, and Watson could significantly increase his kill rate percentage. Author's rating: 7.

Andy Tuck - Great game by Tuck, blocking duties done with panache and very high quick ball kill rate. Although Tuck had some confusion with the service line (i.e. its location), his overall offensive play was the team's best. Author's rating: 8.

Ian Bailey - Replacement for Clark and Boniolo. Solid game from Bailey but not as spectacular as others. Bailey is a player close to fitting it all together. Signs are that this is on the cards. Author's rating: 6.

Rees Warren - Played as libero in today's clash. Received serve well and covered acres of ground, the Estonians are a better team with Rees as the rudder. Author's rating: 8.

Andy Frith - Replacement for Tuck. Good offensive performance but still needs to be a little quicker on the block position transition. Author's rating: 6.

Chris Watson - Watson senior. No court time today for Estonians second setter. Always postive on the sidelines and will be opportunities later in the season to see Watson's quick hands. Author's rating: n/a.

Estonians Fly High Against Harriers

Saturday 2nd Oct 2010

National League Div2 North

Brentwood Estonians 3 RAF Harriers 0

The start of a new season can be fickle. The thoughts of glory while in pre-season training can be dashed within minutes of the first game. With such thoughts mingling in their pysche, the Estonians entered the court against the RAF Harriers.

By the end of the first 9 points of the first set, the Estonians had no doubts - they were flying high 8-1 up and the Harriers looked utterly unprepared for the offensive barrage of power hits and slick defence. The first set would have been over in the blink of an eye such was the Estonians dominance, but the Harriers' back chatting to the referee and 4 time outs only extended their pain.

With MVP Alessio Boniolo showing his class with a series of lightning hits from opposite and the rest of the six doing their jobs with unerring accuracy, the first set of the first game of the season could not have gone better: 25-9 to the Estonians and the intra-set team talk was buoyant. Maybe too buoyant.

In set 2, the Harriers finally got off the ground but they were less like a Harrier and more like a Sopwith Camel. The Estonians still had far too much talent and organisation in their armoury to be too concerned. The defensive pass was good enough for setter Dave Fenech to design our attacks with variety and accuracy. Sets to position four gave of our swing hitters Tony Clark, Jack Watson and Rees Warren plenty of scope to find the gaps around the block, and the quick pass to the middle was the scoring channel which the Harriers couldn't deal with: James Bernardi and Andy Tuck both being superior to their Harriers counterparts. Set 2 ended with a closer score than it should have: 25-21 to the Estonians.

Set 3, followed a similar pattern to set 2: Estonians in cruise control and the Harriers trying to pick up scraps. The Harriers continued to argue with the officials, meanwhile Brentwood just got on with the job of winning. And winning they did: comfortably taking the third set 25-19.

The Harriers had twice played previously against other teams in the league prior to their visit to Brentwood, and both games had been close. The Estonians performance, therefore, shows they have the ability to dominate in the league. The team is also positive, organised and hard working. But do they have the mental and physical strength for a full season's consistency?

Player Ratings (Out of 10)

Dave Fenech - Captain and Mr Consistency. Fenech's offensive passes were too good for the Harriers. But by his own admission not up to his own high standards. 3 extraordinary stuff blocks knocked the wind out of the Harriers at key moments in the game. Author's Rating: 7.

Tony Clark - Brentwood's Mr Volleyball produced the goods once again. Time and time again Clark hit around the Harriers block as they struggled to defend his left handed attacks. Clark also managed the squad personnel's court time well and defended well with a couple of excellent defensive pick ups. Author's Rating: 7.

James Bernardi - The big Italian middle, the rock of the Estonians front line, was always too much to handle for the Harriers. Consistent winning of points and excellent defensive blocks must have made Bernardi a close second for the MVP. Author's Rating: 8.

Alessio Boniolo - The Italian Opposite. Very lively and powerful from the off: a go-to man for Fenech. Tired a little in the second set, but came back strongly in the third set. MVP voted by the Harriers, but the Author knows Bonolio can get even better. Author's rating: 7.

Jack Watson - Stand-up performance by Watson junior. Showed maturity and a team spirit which lifted the side. Couple this with no little amount of defensive skill and offensive guile. Watson's float serve was a thorn in the side of the Harriers' libby all afternoon. Author's rating: 8.

Andy Tuck - The middle man again did a great job leading the line and also provided a reliable defensive pass to Fenech. Unspectacular, Tuck is often underrated by oppositions. This is always to their cost: if there is a way of winning the point Tuck will find it. Author's rating: 7

Ian Bailey - Came on for 2nd half of 2nd set for Boniolo as opposite. The Southender with a Bonnie Tyler haircut, did his job well. Two kill hits and a stuff block shows we should see more of Bailey as the season progresses. But only a bit part player in this afternoon's affair. Author's rating: 6.

Rees Warren - Replacement outside. Came on towards the end of all three sets. One of the Estonians' best defensive players and solid in attack. Warren rarely let anything hit the ground in defence. Offensively, not as strong as he can be. Author's rating: 6.

Andy Frith - Replacement middle. Came on mid-way through the first set for Tuck. Game situation did not give Frith much opportunity to attack, but defended well to give Fenech the means to set up the attack. Author's rating: 6.

Chris Watson - Watson senior. No court time today for Estonians second setter. Always postive on the sidelines and will be opportunities later in the season to see Watson's quick hands. Author's rating: n/a.