Super League review (7th and 8th December) - Welcome wins for Polonia and Blaze

IBB Polonia recorded their first league success at the sixth attempt on Sunday thanks to edging a five-set thriller at Richmond Docklands, where four of the five sets were decided by just two points. 

The hosts led 1-0 and 2-1, but Polonia were not to be denied and after levelling at 2-2 had just enough in the deciding tie-break set to secure a 23-25, 26-24, 23-25, 25-21, 15-13 triumph. 

Essex Blaze also had cause for celebration on Saturday after notching their second win of the season in equally tight circumstances at Newcastle Knights. 

They clinched the match 25-23, 25-19, 25-27, 19-25, 15-13, surviving a stirring fightback from their North East hosts. 

Adam Ketley completed 34 assists from 101 attempts as well as 12 digs and serving one ace to be the victors’ MVP. 

Kelechi Bell secured a game-high 30 kills, made three blocks and four digs, as well as three assists from four attempts, to get the nod for the the Knights. 

It was not all disappointment for the Knights, who bounced back strongly on Sunday with a straight sets success (25-18, 25-17, 25-18) over Stockport, leaving them with a 4-2 record. 

Neil Rea shone for Newcastle as was named MVP, serving one ace and making one kill, in addition to 17 assists from 27 attempts in his role as setter. 

Haydn Lawson took the honours for Stockport, completing all 14 service returns successfully and making 10 kills and five digs. 

Stockport were also on the wrong end of things a day earlier at home to league leaders Essex Rebels, who maintained their position at the top of the table thanks to a 3-2 win. 

The visitors looked to be in cruise control as they took the first two sets, but the Greater Manchester side hit back to level at 2-2 before the Rebels regained their composure to close out the match (25-22, 25-18, 21-25, 19-25, 15-7). 

Cameron Kern served four aces, completed three kills, successfully assisted 21 times from 39 and made five digs to be his side’s MVP, while Lawson, for the visitors, was nominated for the second time in a weekend.  

The point they dropped means Malory Eagles are now only behind them on sets quotient, with Rebels’ figure of 2.833 being slightly better than their own 2.429. 

That was after Jefferson Williams’ side made it five victories in a row as they eased to victory at London Giants, who have had a difficult recent run following a bright start to life in the top flight. 

The Eagles 3-0 (27-25, 25-18, 25-19) victory at Clapham Leisure Centre owed much to coming through a very tight set, with things much simpler in the second and third. 

Nathan Fullerton was MVP for the winners, while Lovepreet Sandhu was the choice for Giants. 

Team Sideout Polonia had a weekend to remember in the MAAREE Women’s Super League as back-to-back triumphs carried them back to the top of the table, albeit having played two more games than second-placed Malory Eagles. 

First, on Saturday, they were made to work hard for victory at Lionhearts Vinarius, where they twice led but needed the tie-breaker to eventually get the job done (25-21, 22-25, 25-23, 23-25, 15-9). 

Yulia Tokarenko took the MVP vote for Polonia after successfully returning service on 28 occasions from 31 attempts, completing 22 kills and making two blocks and four digs. 

Mallory Porcher was chosen for the London side (eight kills, 11 blocks, five digs). 

Things proved to be easier for them at home on the Sunday as they came through a tight first set against Essex Rebels to go on and win in three sets (26-24, 25-19, 25-18). 

Carla Mulli had a fine all-round game for SideOut, serving one ace, successfully returning serve on 13 out of 15 occasions and completing 13 kills and nine digs. 

Chelsea Simmons was selected for the Rebels (two aces, one kill, one block, 19 assists from 69 attempts and three digs). 

Elsewhere, Leeds Gorse hit back from dropping the first set to take maximum points against Cambridge ARU with a 3-1 Saturday success (24-26, 25-19, 25-20, 25-19). 

Virag Farkas served one ace, completed 17 from 21 returns of serve, made 18 kills, one block and seven digs. 

Ellie Middleton served four aces, completed nine of 11 service return attempts and made nine kills and eight digs to be nominated for ARU.

Images by Nathaniel Macrae and Noelia Fernandez Perez