As a newly promoted team to Division 2 National League, Herts Nomads were desperate to start the season with a convincing win. With a long journey ahead of them they knew it was going to be a tough day!
The Herts team got off to a confident start in the 1st set but Chester matched them point for point. Herts finally took the set 26-24 with a nail biting finish! This 1 st set was an excellent start for the Nomads, particularly as this was the first competitive match the team had played with some new additions to the club.
The 2 nd set however showed a lack of concentration from the Nomads. Chester really got their game together and took an early lead against Herts. The Nomads fought back constantly throughout the set but they could not get a run of points. In the end it was too late and Chester took the set 25-16!
The 3 rd set showed both teams putting up an excellent fight. Unfortunately the Herts team did not capitalise on many opportunities to break away, with too many serving errors. They held on to the bitter end but Chester finally took the set 25-23.
The Nomads made one substitution in the 4 th set to add some experience to side. This seemed to be just enough to unsettle Chester. With nothing to lose at this point, Herts showed true spirit throughout the set and battled towards a 25-23 win to the Nomads!!
So the game finally came down to a 5 th set! Both teams appeared tired and it was Chester that took the early lead. Herts however showed the determination that was seen at the end of last season and battled right to the end of the set to get a match point. They lost this however, but managed to keep their concentration to finally win the set 17-15 with two impressive back-to-back blocks from veterans Farmer and Falconer.
The team did it the hard way but got there in the end!- they should be very proud of themselves! Congratulations to Meena Murray (setter) for a deserved MVP award.
