First play-off win for Dundee men

Dundee completed their first match in the SVL Division 1 play-offs against Glasgow Mets ll last Saturday in Craigie High School with a fine 3/1 win.  The home venue is proving important in close games as he stuffy Mets side put up strong resistance after recruiting former top side player Vince Lyle to their ranks.  He proved their main threat and was their top points scorer in 3 of the sets.

Mike Coward and Colin McEvoy were the main home side scorers in the opening set with a run of points from 13/10 to 20/10.  The visitors had little in reply and Dundee took the set 25/16.  Coward continued to score but it was Aus Dowie and Leo Maugeri weighing in with 6 points to win the second set 25/22.

The game continued in the same vein with the home side looking comfortable at 20/18 in the third set.  Unfortunately four hitting errors and two failed attempts to win the serve back were costly as Mets stole the set 25/20 with Lyle inflicting heavy damage.

A change of line-up helped regain the momentum and the visitors trailed throughout the set from 3/2 up to 14/19 down.  Craig Goldthorpe and Mark Donnachie hit top form as Dundee moved smoothly to a 25/22 win.

The ladies side travelled to Edinburgh for a triangular fixture and came up against a skilful and defiant City of Edinburgh ll side.  Both sides traded points and neither could establish any great lead.  Sarah Driscoll and Lucy Wishart were able to keep the Dundee side in the game but Edinburgh sneaked the set 25/22.  Lana Edgar started to make her presence felt at the net and Agnes Bednarek scored a run of points from her service. The visitors levelled the game taking the set 25/22.  Edinburgh’s defence and ball control allowed them to blunt the Dundee power attacks from Driscoll and Natahsa Melville.  Their counter-attack tactics were effective and they took the next two sets 25/19 and as the Dundee side tired, 25/14.

Next up was Edinburgh Jets ll and again Dundee’s power at the net was crucial.  Playmaker Lucy Scouller was able to give the hitters potions and Dundee took a close first set 25/23.  Sarah Driscoll and Natasha Melville kept the visitors ahead in the second set and when Lana Edgar hit the winning point to take the set 25/22 there was relief and joy throughout the team.  With control and confidence Dundee cruised through the third set to 25/11 to move back into fourth place in the league tied with Edinburgh ll.