FLOW?SENTRY Brokers Deacons’ women moved closer to winning the Goddard Enterprises Limited Division 1 volleyball double crown although they enjoyed an off night when the competition continued Wednesday night at the Wildey Gymnasium.
The critical game of the night, which could determine this year’s winners, saw reigning league queens Warrens Jaguars edging Brydens Rockets 25-19, 24-26, 22-25, 25-13, 15-13.
The Rockets, whose lone defeat was against Deacons, needed to win to retain a chance of overhauling Deacons as Warrens had already lost twice.
After losing the first set the Rockets came back from 17-24 in the second set and 17-22 in the third set and jumped from 10-14 in the decider before losing on a serving error 13-15 in that fifth set.
Solid all-round play from Talya Lane, Anthazia Mason, Rhe-Ann Niles and Jamilia Edwards saw the Rockets stuttering in every set.
Shari Matthews, six-footer Anicia Wood and Katrina Wickham somehow held on to carry the game into the fifth set with tremendous serving by Andrea Flores pulling the Rockets from the depths of defeat. Warrens should have ended the game with the advantage of game and match point (14-10).
Purposeful defence by the Rockets and counter attack by Matthews saw them getting as close as 13-14 which forced Warrens into calling a time-out. At the end of the time-out, Rockets’ Kim Beckles served wide of the court.
With the Rockets and Warrens having now lost two games and Deacons remaining unbeaten, that duo will need a miracle for Deacons to lose at least two games in the remaining fixtures. Significantly, Warrens will be minus key player Rhe-Ann Niles when they meet Deacons as she will be on national netball duty.
Deacons are a perfect 8-0 with 40 points while Warrens have moved to second spot on 36 points from a 7-2 record. Rockets are 6-2 with 34 points.
Toners kept Club United winless by defeating them 20-25, 25-22, 25-22, 26-24 on Wednesday night.
Chargers men slammed Cawmere 25-12, 25-22, 25-15, to move to 8-0 and 40 points. They remain ahead of Coverley Medical Centre Deacons, who stopped the Juniors 25-13, 20-25, 25-16, 25-12.
