Match Report
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Volleyball v 2nd Portrush (NI Cup, SF)Volleyball v 2nd Portrush
19/04/2008
(Northern Ireland Cup, Semi Final)
Knocknamuckley played their eagerly awaited semi final of the Northern Ireland Cup on Saturday evening against reigning champions 2nd Portrush. The importance of this game was reflected by the size of the crowd which had turned out for this game, making for a good spectacle.
The match started off and was very tight early on, with a few points going either way. After the opening points had been shared, Knocknamuckley began to apply some pressure with some great points involving Simon Grey giving Muckley a 17-9 lead. Portrush began to claw back this deficit, and soon the sides were again too close to call. A wonderful point involving Seth Mathers and Chris Carville seemed to give Knocknamuckley the advantage with a 21-17 lead, and some great all-round team play helped them close out the set 25-19.
First Set 1st Knocknamuckley 25 v 19 2nd Portrush
At the start of the second half it was Portrush who gained the early momentum, stringing together quick points. Knocknamuckley were forced into an early time out, and this seemed to do the trick. An excellent block from Graham Cowan set Muckley on a roll and it was now the home side who began to string together some points, taking a 16-10 lead. The introduction of Adam McKeown from the bench was followed by a glorious spike with his first touch, before a time-out for Portrush worked in their favour, sparking a fight back as they drew the scores level at 22-22. A lovely block from Mathers edged Muckley in front, and a good serve from the same player saw Muckley take a 2-0 lead.
Second Set 1st Knocknamuckley 26 v 24 2nd Portrush
With Knocknamuckley having taken the first two sets Portrush now needed to take all three of the remaining g sets in order to progress. The set started off in typically tight fashion, as neither side strung many points together or took a commanding lead. Knocknamuckley eventually took a 5 point advantage, leading 17-12. At this point Portrush began to apply the pressure, and closed the gap. As the momentum of the away side built, Muckley were unable to stem the flow of points, as nerves seemed to settle in as they were content to try and push the ball back, rather than go for the big shots. This played into Portrush’ hands as they took 13 of the last 17 points to win the set 25-21.
Third Set 1st Knocknamuckley 21 v 25 2nd Portrush
At the beginning of the set Portrush looked to have carried their form from the last set into the fourth, and after a nervy third set from Knocknamuckley, it was important they did not allow Portrush anymore momentum. Although the first number of points went in favour of Portrush the set was soon, once again, close. Midway through the set Knocknamuckley began to open up a slight lead. They looked more confident than they had in the previous set, and were now going for their shots, which when executed correctly, left Portrush with no reply. As they opened a slender cushion and three wonderful points from Mathers, Grey and Carville added some style to the closing moments as Muckley took the set 25-18.
Fourth Set 1st Knocknamuckley 25 v 18 2nd Portrush
This victory means that Knocknamuckley will now progress to the Northern Ireland Cup final, where they will face local rivals Ahorey. This was a very impressive win against last year’s champions, with Mathers and Cowan particularly impressive, and they will now look to go one step better than last season and lift the trophy.
Result 1st Knocknamuckley 3 v 1 2nd Portrush
Team: Mathers, Carville, Cowan, Grey, Harrison, C.Irwin; A.Irwin, McKeown, Russell.
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