Chelmsford Partners men started their National League match against Plymouth well and looked to be in command with a 2-0 lead, but they then saw the match squared before losing out in a tense and tight deciding set to go down 3-2.

This was a game where the Partners were seeking revenge for a 3-0 comprehensive defeat in Plymouth earlier in the year, and for the First half hour it was vintage stuff as Partners were on their best form.

Setters Bohannan and Day were able to use all the attack variations with Fryer and Murphy putting the ball away for every first attack.

In the middle Peacock and Edwards served and recovered everything.

Partners won the sets 25-12, 25-11 easing up after taking unassailable leads in both.

In the third Plymouth came out like a different side.

First of all their block improved from nothing to a towering roof over every Chelmsford attack, then Cox with a flailing left arm cross court consistently found the door.

Partners competed hard, but with their attack options now more limited went down 25-18.

No matter, they were still in the lead and Chelmsfoord were hopeful that Plymouth could not maintain the pace.

They could however and although Fryer tried everything at the net and Peacock let nothing by in defence the rest of the team could not raise their game and a 25-14 set saw the scores levelled.

In the decider, Plymouth kept up the good work and changed ends 8-4 up, and the Partners dug deep and came back at one stage to trail just 13-11.

They sided out for 12-13 but were then undone by another Cox special followed by a point which summed up the day.

Cox again blasted against the Partners block which this time got enough hand on the ball for it to run down along the net.

Edwards launched himself and recovered the ball only to be called for a net touch as he was unable to get to the ball without catching the net.

15-12 to Plymouth and a match that Chelmsford must have felt got away.

The Mallinson man of the match award went to Steve Peacock who was strong throughout and did as much as anyone to inspire Partners.

At least the team had something to celebrate on learning that Club captain Gordon Day is to become a father in September. But it will be a good few years before his offspring will be able to play, so Partners are still looking to strengthen the squad for next season.

Anyone interested in playing volleyball is invited to telephone Ken Edwards on 01245 474425.

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