The Herts team faced their biggest challenge of the season down in Bristol this weekend. The Nomads were in the playoffs between the three 2 nd placed teams from Div 3. The Herts team were in better shape than last year when they had faced the same challenge with a team plagued with injuries! Loughborough and Bristol played each other first and the Nomads were there to size up the competition. Loughborough had a comfortable 3-0 over Bristol, but both teams didn't seem to settle into the game properly.
The Nomads were playing Loughborough first and were up for the challenge. Loughborough raised their game but the Herts team were firmly in control for the 1 st set winning 25-15.
Nomads had a concentration crisis in the 2 nd set. Loughborough had adjusted their defence to the Herts attack and the team felt their confidence dip and struggled to focus. Loughborough took full advantage and won the set 25-15.
A change in rotation and a fresh start in the 3 rd set saw the Herts team re-exert their authority and take control once more. Strong serving and attacking kept Loughborough under pressure, as the Herts team took the set 25-14 . The Nomads maintained their focus in the 4 th set , Loughborough fought hard but the Herts team stepped up their defence making it difficult for the opposition to put the ball away. Nomads took the set 25-19.
