WEYMOUTH Beach Volleyball Club continued their unbeaten streak in 2022 with a 3-0 defeat of City of Bristol at Redlands in National League Division One.
For the first time this season, Weymouth had the whole squad available with Archie Golding returning from injury and this strength-in-depth showed throughout the match.
Although it ended up being a 3-0 win for most of the match the play was extremely tight and was full of dramatic rallies with both sides pulling off some amazing recoveries.
The match began with Weymouth taking a solid 8-3 lead but any thoughts that the hosts might runaway with the match were dashed as Bristol demonstrated their powerful attack and serving, pulling the game back to lead 13-12.
Every point was now tightly contested but the consistency of hitting by Matt Hunter and Valdis Baranovs proved the difference and Weymouth eased away again to win the set 25-21.
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Weymouth edged ahead at the start of the second set but this time with home service receive from Liam Tewkesbury and Elliott Sawyer looking solid and consistent they were able to hang on to their lead and ran away to a 25-16 win for a 2-0 sets lead.
The beginning of the third set looked like Weymouth might be able to run away with the match as they took a 7-1 lead, starting a set strongly for the third successive time.
That was until Bristol fought back and suddenly the visitors were level at 14-14.
Weymouth coach Simon Golding made a couple of substitutions at this point and brought on the youth of Archie Golding and Ollie Smith, giving the team a further impetus and they were able to take control again to win 25-20 and take the match 3-0.
This win should should end any thoughts of relegation for Weymouth and give the possibility of a top-half finish, a great achievement in their first year of playing at this level – the second-highest in the country.
Evidently, a really key match for that ambition will be on Saturday at Redlands (1.15pm) when Weymouth entertain Manchester Marvels. Entry is free and all support is welcome.
Victory would see the sixth-placed Dorset side close the gap on the Marvels, who currently sit fourth in the table having played 12 matches to the Seasiders' 11.
Essex Blaze are sandwiched between the two but have played two games fewer than Weymouth and possess an identical points record.
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