Last year, former giants Progressive ended an 18-year title drought by winning the Cooperators General Insurance senior volleyball knockout title.
On Monday night legends RBC/RBTT Deacons showed that they are prepared to reclaim their crown and banish Progressive back to the volleyball desert.
In a night-capper that promised so much but delivered so little at the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex, Deacons motored past Progressive, 25-22, 25-23, 18-25, 25-20, with only young Turk Akeem Payne carrying a consistent fight to Deacons.
After playing their last two games without a specialist setter, Progressive took no chances and turned up with two: Marcus Greene and Ronald Rice.
But the inconsistent form of attackers Fabian Cox, Renier Grace and Corey Harris meant the team was akin to a cricket side with two specialist wicketkeepers and just one worthwhile bowler.
Deacons suffered no such shortage, as after Elwyn Oxley, Jamaal Nedd and Kenwin Inniss had softened up Progressive’s defence, Sheldon Roach enjoyed a spike-fest which condemned Progressive to their first loss.
Progressive still lead the table with 21 points but they would need Chargers to stop Deacons if they are to claim the top ranking and a direct trip to the semi-finals.
Chargers, who have lost to Progressive, will play Deacons tonight at eight. Deacons have 20 points while Chargers hold 11.
Sunpower Foundation United jumped into the fray and moved to 13 points after struggling to get past the BNB Juniors 20-25, 27-25, 24-26, 25-19, 15-8.
Barbados junior player Jabarry Goodridge, who had helped Foundation to take the Junior Knockout title, almost stunned his alma mater before Justin Bennett helped Foundation to squeeze out the win.
The women’s matches provided plenty of excitement, with defending champions Chargers committing a tactical error to allow Sentry Insurance Deacons to come back from being down two sets and 2-7 in the third set to force a fifth and deciding set.
But Chargers recovered to win the key contest 25-16, 25-23, 20-25, 17-25, 15-7.
With the solid play of veteran Sharon Bovell, Thonya Joseph and Avara Brown compensating for a sub-par game from Dania Hamilton, Chargers should have closed out the game in straight sets. They were helped by some uncharacteristic errors from libero Marissa Dowell and a profusive bleeding of points by mercurial Julia Lewis.
However, the Chargers coaches went for broke with the score at 9-6 in the third set, bringing in reserve setter Afyia Taylor in the backcourt for Hamilton, with blocker/spiker Natasha Charlemange replacing the performing setter Akela Blenman at net.
With six-footers Fabia Greaves and Annette Chapman finding their range, Deacons took the initiative to carry the match into the decider. Chargers were forced to reverse the substitutions and found themselves with limited options.
The play of a true-to-form Dowell and Chargers’ libero Janelle Pilgrim was just as gripping as the net action, as Chargers calmly restored order in the fifth set to take the match.
Carefree Toners jumped into the second spot with 17 points by thumping Plus The Club, 25-14, 25-18, 25-14.
Chargers have 20 points, Warrens 15 and Deacons 12, the same as the Rockets.
Deacons will clash with the Rockets this evening at 6.30, with Chargers battling Warrens at the same time.
