The Herts team travelled to Birmingham University to take part in the triangular fixture which was to decide which team would be promoted to NVL division 2. Birmingham was playing Middlesborough first and the Herts team arrived to watch the match with interest. It was a close game going to 5 sets, with the momentum swinging from one to the other throughout the match. Birmingham just took it – but it was evident that all three team were going to be closely matched.
Herts Vs Middlesborough.
The Nomads had been training hard to re – establish a winning side without their usual setter, who was out with an injury. The Herts team faced Middlesborough first and met the challenge with enthusiasm! The Nomads played with confidence and took the first set reasonably comfortably 25 – 20.
Middlesborough fought back hard in the 2 nd set and it was point for point all the way. Middlesborough just took the set 25 – 23.
Herts started the 3 rd set strongly and seemed to be in control. Middlesborough fought back and managed to level the score at 16 all. The Nomads suffered a lapse in concentration which allowed Middlesborough to settle in a tough server who managed to exert pressure on the Herts receive to take the lead. The Nomads fought back but it was too late to save the set which they lost 19 – 25.
The Herts team were very determined in the 4 th and were firmly back in control, with strong serving leaving a stunned Middlesborough 4 – 17 down. To their credit Middlesborough came back at the Herts team making it difficult for them to finish the set, however, the Herts team won through to take the set 25 – 17.
Herts drew first blood in the 5 th with three strong serves, but Middlesborough replied with strong serving of their own. Both teams fought hard, defending well. Being 5 – 8 down at the change of ends, the Nomads had work to do. They fought back and some tough serving helped them bring the score back to 11- 12.
However, the side out at 12 – 13 left Middlesborough serving for the set, the Nomads fought hard but lost the point giving Middlesborough the 3 –2 win.
Herts Vs Birmingham.
With only 20 minutes recovery time the Nomads faced Birmingham. Mentally the team struggled to focus and couldn't get going in the first set. Birmingham were allowed an early lead of 12 –3 which the Herts team never managed to recover from. Birmingham took the set very comfortably 25 – 11.
The Nomads had a better start in the 2 nd and it was pretty even for the first half of the set. However, Birmingham were high on confidence from the previous set and forged ahead to take the set 25 – 19.
A frustrated Herts team threw caution to the wind and came storming out in the third. Strong serving put the team ahead and they built on the lead with real determination, leaving Birmingham a little shell shocked. The Nomads took the set very comfortably 25 – 16.
The 4 th set saw more of the same from the Herts team they played with real energy and again took the set 25 – 16.
The Herts team were looking good for the 5 th and at 5 all there was everything to play for. However, disaster struck as fatigue set in and muscles began to cramp! Possibly distracted by the knowledge that point difference would decide these play offs if they won this set, the Nomads really struggled once Birmingham took the lead in the fifth. Suffering from the old problem of getting stuck on one rotation – the Nomads watched their hopes slip away as Birmingham went 5 points in the lead. The Herts team rallied a bit, but it was too late to save the set and Birmingham took it comfortably 15 – 10 giving them the promotion to div 2 next season.
The Herts team were bitterly disappointed having worked so hard all season and having come so close to promotion. However, injury has plagued the team all season and with a small squad it was always going to be tough. The team worked really hard and gave their all producing an exciting entertaining days volleyball. The atmosphere in the 3 rd and 4 th set against Birmingham was electric, with the spectators going wild making loads of noise!
The Herts team should be proud of what has been a really good season for them, with some great performances and brilliant determination.
The team will be looking to build a squad over the summer ready to tackle the challenge of gaining promotion next season. They will be expanding the squad and anyone interested in joining the team can contact dawn.graceson1@ntlworld.com for more details.
