Men’s season fizzles out in South Queensferry

Dundee’s men let their season fizzle out with a disappointing result against City of Edinburgh ll in South Queensferry last Saturday.  With a make-shift side and the minimum number of players, this League 1 play-off game was to help decide second place in the table.  The home side had a good start with a run of points to lead 4/0 and then 7/3.  Dundee’s system was creaking as the young Edinburgh side used their serving advantage to great effect.  Dundee were relying on Boris Prodanov and he delivered some big scores to help pull his side closer.  Several mishit shots from the home side let Dundee close to 18/20.  Dave Bonnar and Barry Millar both scored points with service ‘aces’ and the scores were tied at 22/22.  The home side stopped Prodanov with a net block but two errors gave Dundee set point at 24/23.  As the set was reaching a climax, both sets of players became nervous and mistakes were to the fore.  Boris won 2 points then lost 2 as the score see-sawed.  Edinburgh had set point at 26/25, Dundee had it at 27/26 and 28/27 but the home side took the set 30/28 with a scoring net block to signal wild celebrations!

Dundee then started the second set forcing the Edinburgh side into a series of errors, giving Dundee an 8/4 lead.  Big Boris Prodanov scored 5 points, 3 from service ‘aces’, to give Dundee an 18/16 lead.  The tables were turned as Edinburgh replied with their service points to lead 23/21.  A quick side out point brought Dundee closer but again an error was crucial as the home side took the second set 25/22.

The victory in their nostrils, the young home side stormed into a 15/9 lead.  The Dundee attack responded with scores from Mark Donnachie and Lewis Crockart.  Oz Dowie, Barry Millar and Boris Prodanov all helped with scoring net blocks to close the score to 3 points but as both sides traded points, it was the home side that crossed the finishing line, 25/20 to secure second top spot.

This final game gave Dundee an unexpected third place finish after a poor start to the season but disappointment missing out on the promotion play-off place to move to the Premier League.