Opponents: Ashton & Birmingham
Date: Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th February 2001
Venue: Bacon's College
Result: 3-0 Win in both games
Headline:Docklands Still On Course
Author: Andy Vincett

Crushing defeats of Ashton and Birmingham Volleyball Clubs on Saturday and Sunday respectively, have confirmed London Docklands position at the top of the National Volleyball League Division 2. But with Leeds, second, having lost just once, and that being to London, the title race will go down to the wire.

Saturday's match against Ashton Volleyball Club was almost a non-starter as the travelling team failed to show and the first set was declared 25-0 in Docklands favour. Although they eventually found their way, they lost it again when they stepped on court.

LDVC struggled for cohesion in the second set but still won it untroubled 25-20. In the final set, fabulous serving from Alexis Blair put Docklands 15-2 up which signaled the arrival of long-term injury victims Sean Marshman and Danny Primus from the bench. Without disruption Docklands powered to victory 25-14 leaving Ashton wondering if they should have shown up at all.

If on Saturday Docklands won at a canter, then on Sunday they strolled to victory against a Birmingham side that never looked resigned to their fate from the start. Despite starting well in both the opening sets, Birmingham lacked fitness, tactics and self-belief allowing London to pile on the pressure. And that's what they did.

After going 2-0 ahead, changes in personnel did not weaken Docklands who played some of the best Volleyball of their season so far that includes two giant-killings in the cup. Ned Groy was the star of the attack belying his years to consistently despatch each hit.

These were London Docklands last matches before they face, 2nd in the 1st Division, Portsmouth, at Bacons College in the cup semi-final on March 11th. This will be a far stiffer test but one that the team are determined to overcome.