If a week in politics is said to be a long time then the same can be noted of the past seven days in the Goddard Enterprises Limited Division one league.
One week ago deposed knockout queens Brydens Rockets and Coverley Medical Centre Deacons were trying to reel in new champions, Flow Sentry Brokers Deacons women and Chargers men, respectively.
Although Deacons women and Chargers men have retained their unbeaten status, a lot of on and off court activities have added greater interest to the season.
While players and fans might have been bothered with the scuttling of the midweek fixture as the Gym was being readied for the University of the West Indies graduation, the acquisition of first degrees by current Barbados libero, Robert Gooding of Club United, youngster Takima Daniels of Deacons and the experienced Jewel Hoyte of Toners would have brought some measure of pride to the volleyball fraternity.
The other side of the spectrum would have shown the ugly side where Cawmere all-rounder Eadiun Cobham was engaged in a verbal spat with international referee Dale Addison which led to Cobham being disqualified and Cawmere losing the match to Deacons from a disputed point in the fourth set.
Under the international regulations, the disqualification of a player leads to an automatic suspension for three subsequent matches. With Cawmere already struggling to put worthy personnel in uniforms, the Waterford team will be even less of a threat to teams above Foundation United and the Juniors.
This year Cawmere saw the retirement of stalwarts Gavin Brewster, Wendell Beckles and Richard Forde with the departure of setter Ramon Blades for Foundation and the mysterious “sitting out” of Rory Goddard leaving the lethal Shawn Simpson and Raffael Lovell keen to find some kind of support crew.
The volatile Cobham was enjoying his return to Cawmere after brief and troubling stints with Progressive and Foundation. With Ricardo Yearwood also returning to volleyball to link forces with setter Jamal Branch, Cawmere looked capable of helping to decide the championship even if they ended outside of the coronation ceremony.
The latest incident as well as Cawmere’s inability to attract and keep young talent seems to damn them to another season without silverware. Cawmere’s lack of magnetism was seen clearly where all of the other five division one teams have enjoyed the services of players from the Junior team during the past two seasons. none of the Juniors have suited up for Cawmere.
Such matters appear irrelevant to Chargers men whose only concern as they march towards a first double crown title will be when they face Deacons. During the week the Deacons young guns showed greater consistency in dismissing their first round beaters Progressive.
Deacons women’s great concern will also be when they face the Rockets as many of the other teams continue to fade when they meet opponents in the top four. Even so, Chargers and Warrens, who make up the top four, do not pose any serious threat with Chargers struggling and Warrens blowing hot and cold.
With those cup-deciding matches of Deacons versus the Rockets women and Deacons engaging Chargers over a week away, fans will see how much difference seven days will make in division one volleyball.
