Jordan Ayres Dave Godden Alex Whithead and George Scholey represented the SE under 17 boys.
They came 4th in the inter regionals held in Kettering over the bank holiday weekend

Elsa Hill [captain] and Katie Gibson were selected for the under 14 A team they also came 4th.

Harry Pocock and Matthew Stent played for the under 15 boys who were 9th

Posted by Sue on Monday, 05.9.11 @ 21:45pm | #20

‘Top Flight Volley’ Tournament, Ashcombe School!

Girls!
The set up of the girls under 14’s tournament, four aside on a badminton court, presented an excellent opportunity for Elisa and Katie to play together for Newbury as a pair! The duo was ridiculously excited and took on the challenge with great gusto and enthusiasm...
The first game saw the two girls taking on St. Pauls 3 (the Mid Sussex Rockets) who put up a valiant fight only to be beaten 25:6 by consistent serving and controlled attacks.
Once the initial nerves had been settled about playing the second game against Team Southampton the match got underway with superb displays of basic skills coming from the opposing sides. In the end the pair came out on top of the quartet with a 25:11 victory, giving both the Newbury girls a boost of confidence.
Ashcombe Dorking was the third team to face the twosome but they suffered under the unyielding serves that constantly pushed them to the back of the court where they couldn’t return the ball. With the score at an incredible 19:2 Sue called a time out to tell her side to drop their serves, allowing the tiring opposition a chance to get back into the game. Elisa was the first to calmly and purposefully send her ball flying out of court, her laughing partner unable to watch; then it was the turn of a hysterical Katie to blast a serve into the back wall - eventually Newbury won 25:4.
The fourth and fifth games went by in a blur as in turn St Pauls 2 and Ashcombe Durrington were beaten 10:25 and 11:25 respectively.
The last game that Newbury played was against St. Pauls 1 and due to the fact that both teams had won all their games up to that point it was, effectively, the final - the outcome of the tournament rested on the shoulders of the two intently determined sides! Both the teams mounted attack after attack with some brilliant three touch rallies resulting in a game that remained close all the way up to its conclusion. Finally, after some indecisiveness from St. Pauls four girls the pair located the opposition’s weakness and with shows of great commitment Newbury drew ahead, remaining in front to see it through to a 19:25 triumph.
After the medals were given out the awesome Elisa was awarded MVP of the girls’ tournament! Yay!
A big “thank you” from the Newbury players to the coaches and supporters who never gave up on us and cheered us on!

Posted by Katie on Monday, 04.18.11 @ 20:29pm | #12

The Newbury under 18 boys travelled to Boswells School in Chelmsford to take on their two teams in the quest to qualify for the quarter finals of the under 18 National Championships. With a very young team 3 of the boys only 15 there were no high expectations of the day. The plan was to vary the team line up in the first set against Boswells A to see what gelled, the host team romped home with a 25-11 win. The second set Newbury had the confidence to really take on the experienced Boswell team who were playing 3 England junior players. With improved passes to setter Ryan Murphy outside hitters Dave Godden and Jordan Ayres could unleash powerful hits cross court and add quick changes to line hits disrupting the hosts defence. It was still a win to Boswells but a more credible score 25-21.
The second match was against Bowells B team again with 3 England cadets on the line up. Still revved up from their previous performance the Newbury team pushed forward middle players Tim Godden and Craig Gibson were invaluable at the net blocking out the Boswell attacks or drawing the block away from our own hitters. Alex Whitehead scored several points hitting varied attacks from the right side. Newbury took the set 25- 21.
Boswells won the second set 27-25 after they regrouped and adjusted to some of our tactics, and that together with a few serve errors from Newbury.

Going into the 3rd set was make or break getting any further in the competition, with ecstatic support from the team bench Newbury remained confident and secure in their defence allowing the hitters to score valuable points allowing them to pull ahead and take the set 15 -12 and the match.
They now have to go through into their final match against Tendering next Sunday a win for Newbury will put them into the quarter finals.

Posted by Dave Godden on Monday, 03.7.11 @ 18:16pm | #10

Berkshire Volleyball League Men’s Division 2 Match Report 12.12.10


Spikeopaths 2 v Didcot

Didcot, relegated from Division 1 last year, put on a competent display against Reading side Spikeos, who had already taken some important scalps this year, in the first leg of this triangular fixture. It certainly looked as Newbury Juniors would have their work cut out in their games.


Newbury Juniors v Didcot

Newbury Juniors is a side made up from Newbury Volleyball Academy players all aged 15-17, apart from experienced setter Colin Underhay. This week they were missing several key players so had to field two other over 20’s players, and this proven a good combination, with the boys providing the fire and athleticism, and the more mature players balance and solidity. However, this did not stop them losing the first set 14-25.

A reshuffle in the second set proved decisive. Newbury received serve very accurately giving their setter an armchair ride. His distribution to the wide players stretched Didcot’s front court defence and the Juniors were able to match the visitors score. When the Didcot side did open a four point lead, Newbury’s consistent play dragged them back into the game at 17-17.

However, constant pressure took Didcot to game point at 23-24. Richard Cottle tied down the Didcot service reception, and with crucial blocks by Dave Godden and Craig Gibson, Newbury took three points in a row to steal the set 26-24.

The third set was very even until consistent hitting from Jordan Ayres took the Academy side to 8-6 up at the change of ends. Incisive serving by Dave Godden, helped limit Didcot’s attack, whilst superb defence form Mark Godden ensured they could not score points. The visitors failed to trouble the scorer again, as Newbury covered stoically and transitioned into potent attacks. Newbury Juniors won 15-6 and by two sets to one. Newbury’s Craig Gibson was voted Most Valuable Player.


Newbuy Juniors v Spikeopaths 2

Spikeos are a huge side several players well over six foot tall, so Newbury knew they had to be cagey in attack to get around the block. The early exchanges were very even until 9-9. Good reception meant Colin Underhay was able to get his middle hitters away consistently. This tied down the opponent’s middle blockers and left the outside hitters one on one. Dave Godden and Jordan Ayres relished the space and belted in some explosive points. Juniors did not look back and used the pressure to ease to a 25-15 win in the first set.
This fired up the Reading team who clearly were determined not to be beaten by such a young team, and they fought their hardest to open up a three point lead in the second set. A magnificent blocking performance by Craig Gibson and Jordan Ayres got in the faces of their much bigger opponents and slowly turned the tide of the game. Dave Godden was massive in the back court covering from line to line in the back court.

Even when the Juniors appeared to be in trouble, good decision making by Colin Underhay found willing hitters to return the pressure. The Juniors produced one play that would have graced any top NVL game. A perfect pass to the setter allowed Newbury a fast middle attack. This option was ignored by the setter. Spikeos threw up an intimidating block to cover the outside, but they were on their way down when Jordan Ayres came flying out of the back court to land a thunderbolt in the middle of an empty court.

Once they had got their noses in front there was no denying Newbury Juniors who stormed to a 25-17 win to take the second set and win the game. Newbury’s Jordan Ayres was given most Valuable Player for his commanding performance. This double win takes the Juniors to the top of the table above Newbury’s Senior team at the half way stage.

Posted by Dave Godden on Wednesday, 12.15.10 @ 13:35pm | #8

The junior team played at home in the afternoon against Maidenhead and Spikeos.
The junior academy players are entering their first season in the mens division.
After a shaky first couple of points 15 year old Oli Craven Todd opened up the first set against Maidenhead pushing Newbury into a 5 point lead. New recruit Craig Gibson proved a great asset with his dependable defence back court, providing good high passes to the setter. The Maidenhead team began to unravel unsure how to engage with the young players. Newbury finished the set 25 – 18.
The line up altered for the second set enabling all 8 of the squad to have a chance to play. Alex Whitehead took over as setter following in the footsteps of the more experienced Colin Underhay. George Scholey took over from Oli Craven Todd as middle player. Even with a slight change the team remained solid with great fire power from outside hitters Dave Godden and Jordan Ayres. Newbury finished the set 25-23.
Oli Craven Todd was awarded most valued player
The second game was against Spikeos from Reading a team that the Newbury boys really wanted to win against.
Newbury trailed by 2 points throughout the first half of the set, but undaunted the boys pressed on finally drawing equal at 21 all they gained control with Jordan Ayers on service and strong encouragement from the supporters saw the team win the set 25-21.
Another new line up going into the second set gave Newbury an early 5 point lead, but a substitution for Spikeos disrupted the Newbury flow leading to some defence errors which rocked the confidence of the team forcing more mistakes. Spikoes were quick to use the opportunity to claw back the points. A late double substitution from Coach Sue Sayers couldn’t change the outcome leaving Spikeos to take the set 26-24.

Going into the third set the strongest 6 were on court. Craig Gibson lifted the mood with an opening 4 point serve. All the boys were detirmened they were not going to let this match slide away, no more so than Dave Gooden who took over on service and stayed there until the job was done. With the team knowing they could not afford to lose service they used every possible tactic completely dominating the spikeos team leaving them 15-8 down.
Tim Godden was awarded most valued player

Team
Tim Godden Colin Underhay, Dave Godden Jordan Ayres Alex Whitehead, Craig Gibson, George Scholey, Oli Craven Todd.
Next Sat the team will be travelling down to Ashcombe Dorking to play in the under 17 tournament

Posted by Sue on Tuesday, 11.2.10 @ 10:54am | #3

NVC have a new system for match reports! Please check here for match reports and team news.

Posted by Dave Godden on Friday, 10.29.10 @ 15:36pm | #1