Malory Eagles Volleyball Club had more than their share of good fortune as they ran out 3-1 winners over bottom side City of Bristol at Ernest Bevin College on Saturday.

With Bristol having problems getting to the venue in Tooting, they forfeited the first set 25-0.

Spurred by adversity, Bristol slowly played themselves into the match, helped, to no small degree, by a complacent and error prone Malory.

Bristol would have presented a stronger challenge were it not for the excellent jump serving of Marc Richardson and strong blocking from Alex Bialokoz and Mark Brown.

Not to be outdone, Bristol’s Andre Kapinski kept his side in the game with an excellent serving run from 12 to 19. A furious timeout by Eagles coach Jefferson Williams snapped the side back into action and they finished the set; 25-21.

Set three saw the game pass into a surreal dimension as the league leaders first struggled and then slowly gave way to the league minnows. Veteran attacker Jevgenijs Palancevics was pivotal in helping Bristol inch towards 25, with a strong showing against the normally fearsome Malory middle.

Malory looked to be clawing their way back but two quick timeouts from Bristol’s captain Phil Gorton allowed the visitors to hold on and take the set, 25-22.

Incandescent with rage, coach Williams reminded his team of the challenge they faced if they wanted to take a title this year.

In an excellent example of what a psychological game volleyball is, the Eagles clicked into gear and took the fourth set by a bruising 25 points to four.

Ruthlessly efficient, the Malory team took full advantage of disruption caused by an injury to the Bristol setter with excellent serving from Dobell, Richardson and Bialokoz. The 3-1 victory was enough to keep Malory at the top of division one, but they will certainly need to beat high fliers Docklands and Sheffield if they want the league title this year.

This Saturday, Malory travel to the National Volleyball Centre in Kettering for their semi-final match against Newcastle Staffs. Malory have been the victors in both encounters with Staffs this season but Newcastle always present a formidable challenge in the Cup.

Immediately after, champions Sheffield play Polonia in the other semi final.