Guernsey turn things around to become South East Volleyball Association Champions

Tuesday 28 May 2024

After a tricky start in qualifying, Guernsey’s volleyball players shifted up a gear to win the South East Volleyball Association championship.

They went into the tournament as one of two Hampshire representatives, the other being Jersey.

Eight players travelled from Guernsey to Dorking for the tournament, where they were joined by Tom Fyfe who had made his way from Sheffield. There was also added moral support from Jack Nurdin and Luke Archard, both recuperating from long-term injuries.

The competition was being played in a different format to usual, being timed but also only two sets to 21 points, with one time out each allowed. 

Expecting hard games, the Guernsey team was quickly woken up in their first game, playing a young Worthing squad, which included some England development players.

The Worthing setter and middle hitter continually caused Guernsey problems attacking the  defence. 

In the end Guernsey did well to hang in with some good jump serving by Harry Barret Giles and attacking from Jan Ferraran in the opposite position.

They drew the match one set each, but lost by one point.

The second game was not any easier against a very tall Maidenhead team. They had also had  a libero who picked up every attack Guernsey could throw at him.  

The game was even and sometimes scrappy, with both teams making mistakes but Guernsey conceded too many points and lost the first set 12-21.  

They put up a better fight in the second, getting to 20-20.  But a mistake and a good attack from the opposition won the set and Guernsey lost the match 2-0 with 11 points. 

Things turned in the third and fourth matches where they played Medway and Guilford.

Guernsey’s stubbornness and nothing to lose attitude, reflecting all the hard work this season, helped them through these matches.  Fitness and ability to adapt was vital. 

Everyone relaxed and started to play, with setter Jack Robiliard finding his targets in the middle to CJ Elmy and Fyfe, which also allowed the outside hitters some space to hit hard.

Guernsey won match three against Medway 2-0 (21-10 and 22-20), a plus 13 points difference. 

The fourth match against Guilford also finished 2-0 (21-15, 21-14), another plus 13 points. 

It was a waiting game for Guernsey, who needed a favour from one of their first two opponents as Worthing and Maidenhead faced each other.  

Last year they lost out on point’s difference, but this year was different and they qualified in second.

Jersey also qualified in second position from their side of the draw, which meant they played Maidenhead. They narrowly lost in three sets.  

In contrast, Guernsey flew through the semis in two sets with the team moving through the gears, playing some good volleyball.  They did not let Brighton Jaguars into the game. Callum Hockey, who had changed positions from opposite to outside, found his timing and hammered the ball down to win many points.

The final saw Guernsey’s re-match with Maidenhead.

While Guernsey was unlucky to pick up injuries before the tournament, Maidenhead had lost a player in the early stages of the competition and then picked another injury up in the semi final, their player having to strap the ankle up during the interval to be able to play in the final. 

Guernsey took control in  the early stages of the opening set, but then mistakes set in.

On set point, an unusual situation boiled down to the interpretation of the second referee who was on a training weekend. He blew his whistle for a rotation fault where one of Guernsey’s players allegedly moved too soon.

There was a long delay as Guernsey’s captain queried the call with the first official, who in turn asked the second referee and although there was an argument to replay the point the first official had not enough evidence to override the call. 

Guernsey came out fighting in the second set and blew Maidenhead away in the first five minutes, gaining a massive gap in the score, and there was only going to be one conclusion from 17-8 up.

It was then down to the third and deciding set. 

Guernsey got off to a shaky start, losing the first three points before steadying the ship and clawing back into the set. 

They led 8-7 at halfway when the teams swapped sides. Good team work and solid defence set up the platform Guernsey needed to win the final two sets to one.