Chargers moved one point closer to retaining the Goddard Enterprises Division 1 men’s volleyball title while Brydens Rockets women remained on course for double crown honours when competition resumed after a 20-day break at the Wildey Gym on Wednesday night.
The 2007, 2009 and 2011 kings scored a cautious 23-25, 28-26, 25-17, 25-22 win over contenders Sandy Crest Medical Centre Deacons to move to a record of 8-1 and 41 points.
The victory by Chargers stymied the championship hopes of Cawmere.
The Waterford lads still hold a mathematical chance of winning their first league title but they would have to beat both the Juniors and Deacons and then hope that Chargers lose to Progressive in straight sets. Deacons are 6-3 on 35 points and Cawmere 6-2 with 32 points.
Former Barbados setter Dale Addison led the Chargers attack and defence along with Jamaican Mark Lewis and 6’ 6” Romel Agard, who suited up for his first game of the season.
A sub-par game from Deacons denied them the chance of notching another double crown after they had snatched the knockout title earlier in the season.
With young Barbados middle player Klode Thompson out injured, Deacons struggled to find a working replacement for blocking and quick attacks when captain Jamal Nedd rotated to the backcourt.
A close first set saw Deacons edging home and then rushing to 7-1, to quieten Chargers. However, the never-say-die Addison pulled the set and game back.
Deacons managed to avoid five set points before losing that set and the next.
A bad start by Chargers in the fourth set where Addison hit into the net; was blocked one-on-one by Nicholas Brancker and then hit the next ball out of bounds gave Deacons’ fans their voice again. However, poor passing and attacking by Deacons, with Chargers’ libero Shaquille Gibson enjoying his best game of the season, dashed Deacons’ hopes of winning another league crown.
The knockout winners welcomed back former national captain Elwyn Oxley after an operation and rehabilitation to a dislocated right shoulder.
Brydens Rockets moved closer to double crown status after proving that the women’s crown was there for Warrens to lose.
With Shari Matthews continuing her spiking spree, the knockout queens dented Warrens’ hopes of their first league title with a 25-23, 25-16, 26-28, 25-21 victory.
Victory by Warrens would have set them up to cruise home to the title but in spite of some crisp shots from Rhe-ann Niles, they were not equal to the task.
Earlier, Toners, with debutant setter Ashley Jordan, daughter of former national player Andy Jordan, stopped winless Plus Club 25-13, 25-22, 25-15.
The Juniors boys also confirmed Foundation United’s cellar status by beating them 20-25, 25-14, 25-22, 21-25, 15-9.
