Malory Eagles Volleyball Club suffered a major blow in their third Super Eights as they crashed 3-2 to Leeds Carnegie at Ernest Bevin College, Tooting, on Saturday, writes Richard Dobell.

There shouldn’t have been a problem for Eagles, winners of the opening two matches of the seaosn, particularly as Leeds arrived with just a few minutes to spare before the end of tiem allowed for the third set, so began two sets down.

The third set was a tense affair with both sides trading points, struggling to get into a rhythm following the considerable match delay.

Match MVP (most valuable player) Chris Frost gave Eagles a solid base with on target service reception but home side errors allowed Carnegie to reclaim the advantage each time.

Carnegie’s front line proved difficult for Malory to contain with Will Foley (middle attack), Bryan Simmons (middle attack) and Roland Herczeg (wing attack) hitting and blocking impressively.

Missing established setter Ashley Trodden, Malory were able to do enough to contain the visitors attack but couldn't take the two match points available to them to close the game. Leeds seized the advantage, taking the set (30-28) and gaining crucial momentum.

The fourth set was again a close affair with Malory Eagles defence, attack and block beginning to get into gear.

Wing attackers Christian Perri, Luciano Pinter and Darius Setsoafia were having an intense battle with the Leeds blockers but continued to lose their hard fought advantage to attack and service errors.

The 25-21 score meant that Leeds were now well and truly back in the game and entered the crucial fifth set brimming with confidence.

The fifth set went point for point to the end with Leeds captain and MVP Attila Berndt driving his team with power attacks from the wings. In a desperately close finish, the visitors shook of their travel problems to steal the set 16-14 and take the match 3-2.

"We just couldn't finish", lamented the young Frost.

Malory now drop to third in Super 8s, with second placed Leeds and first placed Sheffield having won three out of three.

Coach Jefferson Williams will need to do a lot of work with his team to prepare them for their “must win” journey to London Polonia on October 23.

Club website: www.maloryeagles.org/