Super League review (18th and 19th January) - Eagles unbeaten run ended by rivals Polonia

Jefferson Williams’ side had edged to victory over their close rivals when the teams had met in November, winning a thriller 3-2. 

But this was a much more one-sided contest – and this time it was Mark Kontopoulos’ side who held sway, winning 3-0 (25-17, 25-17, 25-22). 

It means SideOut have now stretched their lead at the top of the table to six points, having played two more games than the Eagles. 

Abby Russell was named MVP for Polonia after six kills from just nine attempts. 

Libero Ari Sierra took the honours for Malory after successfully returning 16 serves from 17 attempts and completing 10 digs. 

Below the top two, three teams will strong aspirations of reaching the Final 4 all won. 

Lionhearts Vinarius carried their record to 7-4 as they triumphed 3-0 at Cambridge ARU. 

Their 25-23, 32-30, 25-23 success – all three sets being won by just two points – puts them just one point behind the Eagles in the league table, albeit having played two more matches. 

Maria Sviridova was chosen as MVP for the visitors after successfully returning serve on 28 occasions from 31 attempts, completing 16 kills and making 18 digs. 

For ARU, Raquel Pereira dos Anjos returned served successfully 20 times from 22 attempts and made 14 kills and 14 digs to get the vote for her side.

 A further point back, on 20, are Leeds Gorse, who had too much for the University of Nottingham in West Yorkshire. 

The East Midlands club are now six points adrift of the seventh place they would need to finish to go into the relegation/promotion play-off after this their latest setback, the hosts winning 25-23, 25-19, 20-25, 25-15. 

Setter Molly Van Essen was picked as MVP for the hosts, while Adele Sotgiu was selected for UON. 

Essex Rebels remain within striking distance of the top echelons as they overcame Darkstar Derbyshire in Derby in four sets. 

Alex Chinery’s team were made to work for their 25-21, 25-22, 20-25, 25-10 success and are fifth with games in hand on their rivals. 

The MVP for Darkstar was Kaylsta Knappett and Chelseas Simmons got the nod for the Rebels. 

In the DYNAMIK Men’s Super League, Stockport were delighted to claim their first league victory of the season at the ninth attempt and, in doing so, dented the University of Nottingham’s push for the Final 4. 

The Greater Manchester side were always in control in recording a 25-17, 25-21, 25-17 triumph over the Green and Golds, but remain bottom – for the time being at least. 

England's Haydn Lawson was MVP for the home side and Griffin Walters selected for the visitors.

IBB Polonia had a mixed weekend, but their quest for survival took another step forward with one win from two games and they are now third from bottom. 

On Saturday, they were overpowered by Malory Eagles, who made it eight victories in a row with a 20-25, 25-18, 25-23, 25-13 victory. 

Jordan Dalrymple took the MVP accolades for the Eagles, while Dahmane Bentiti was selected for Polonia. 

But then the Northolt High School-based side completed a league double over Richmond Docklands on Sunday, coming through 25-19, 19-25, 25-14, 25-17. 

Diego Tamburini was MVP for the victors and Ivo Dobra got the vote for Docklands.

It is a result that leaves Richmond nervously looking over their shoulders at those below them after they had also lost in straight sets to London Giants on Saturday. 

A 25-16, 25-23, 25-19 win for the Giants means the Blues’ bright start to the season is now a distant memory and they now have a fight on their hands to stay in the division, having played more games than anyone else and slipped to a 4-8 record. 

Ugnius Marganavicius was named as MVP for Richmond and setter Seth Chen was nominated for Giants. 

In stark contrast, it was a great weekend for Essex Rebels, who reassumed leadership of the division courtesy of back-to-back wins on the road in the North East. 

First, they were too strong for last season’s champions Durham Palatinates, who were consigned to a third defeat of the 24-25 campaign (25-16, 25-23, 25-19), yet remain fourth. 

MVP for the victorious visitors was Jacob Kern, while Ace Backer picked up the award for those in purple. 

Then, Alex Porter’s men were impressive 3-1 victors (25-22, 25-22, 15-25, 25-14) against another side hunting a Final 4 place in the shape of Newcastle Knights. 

Kern was MVP for the second and Ryan Peace was chosen for the North Easterners. 

The Rebels are tied on points with Malory at the summit but take pole position courtesy of their superior set quotient. 

Images by Nathaniel Macrae and Noelia Fernandez Perez

---