Finalists decided in volleyball
Uso and Bellas Team booked places in the premier grade final when the last round robin games of Marlborough Volleyball’s Fairweathers’ Winter League were played on Thursday.
Fairweathers started slowly in their game against Bellas Team at Marlborough Lines Stadium, and were unable to recover in the first set, losing it 25-12.
Missing a couple of key players, Fairweathers were off their game and, despite some crisp setting from Alister McKenzie they lost the second and third sets 25-8, 25-9.
Both Kelly Stewart and Cameron Alexander did a fine job at the net for Bellas Team, who moved to second qualifying spot, relegating Fairweathers to fourth.
Points leader, Uso, pulled out an early lead on Salt and Pepper only to have the latter close the gap at the end of the set.
However, Salt and Pepper left their run a little too late as Uso closed it out 25-22. Uso took another early lead in the second, which Salt and Pepper couldn’t claw back, but in the third they made no mistake as it got tight, prevailing 25-22 in a thriller.
Treefellas had the doubleheader and played Cri Clovers in their first game.
Although Cri Clovers took an early lead Treefellas fought hard and overtook the Clovers to win the first set 25-23.
Treefellas, now warmed up, went on to take the next sets 25-18, 15-13.
Treefellas’ had their stamina tested in their second encounter, against the younger Defying Gravity with Shiloh Walsh serving superbly to dominate the game.
Treefellas tried to pull things back but Defying Gravity were playing too well, with Etelini Manoa serving well in the second set.
In the end Defying Gravity stole the show, 25-19, 25-21 and 15-9.
In the B grade final, old foes The Avengers and Safecrackers will do battle while, in social grade, QCC Blue will play off for top spot against LB’s.