Rainbow division two champs in inaugural season-Volleyball: National League |05 September 2012
Unbeaten so far in their inaugural league campaign, Rainbow have brushed aside the challenge of all their opponents for a maximum 36 points in 12 matches – with 36 sets for and only five against.
In their last league encounter during the weekend at the La Promenade Gymnasium, Rainbow rallied past second-placed Roots Sisters for a 3-2 victory, registering their 12th league victory.
After winning the first set 25-13, Rainbow saw their lead cut when Roots Sisters won the second 25-21 to level the match at one set apiece.
The league leaders even trailed 1-2 after their opponents clinched the third set 25-18.
More eager to win, Rainbow bounced back to win the fourth set 25-19 to level the match at 2-2 before winning the decisive fifth set 15-7 and the match 3-2. Their last two opponents are Saints United and Island Girls.
According to player/coach Marie-Ange Bouchereau, the initial aim of forming Rainbow was to gather non-active players and offer them a form of leisure and exercise.
She explained that it was only after defeating several teams, including first division sides, in the Curtain-raiser tournament that they took the competition more seriously.
Realising that they were a major force in the league, player/coach Bouchereau said they took all their matches seriously and the title became their prime target.
She added that their togetherness and the experience of the players have been the major drive behind their success. This, she said, compensated for their lack of training time, due to the players’ commitment and venue constraints.
As for next season, player/coach Bouchereau said will have to recruit new players to boost their line-up in the top flight and look for a coach.
As for Roots Sisters who have played all their league matches, the defeat guaranteed them the runners-up spot with 36 points from 11 wins and three losses in 14 matches.
They have garnered 37 sets and lost 19.
Meanwhile, in the other women’s league division two match played, Bel Ombre walked over Aros.
Bel Ombre are now sixth on 20 points from four wins and nine losses in 13 matches. They have 23 sets for and 27 against.
As for Aros, they are carrying the weight of the table with 11 points from 13 defeats in as many matches. They have conceded 39 sets and not won any.
Meanwhile, in the women’s league division one competition, the battle for the title is intensifying and a winner will be decided this coming weekend when leaders Friends clash with second-placed Cascade.
With only one match left, Friends are on 37 points from 12 wins and a single loss in 13 matches.
They have won 38 sets and conceded eight.
In their last league match on Sunday, Friends defeated Praslin Volleyball Club 3-0 (25-20, 25-11, 25-12).
As for this coming weekend’s decider, a win will guarantee Friends the title as an extra three points will put them clear off Cascade.
In case of defeat, Friends will only have a slight chance of winning the title, only if Cascade lose their last league match against seventh-placed OSC Comets.
If this is the case, the league champions will be decided on set difference.
Cascade have 34 points from 11 wins and single defeat in 12 matches. They have 35 sets for and 11 against.
In the other women’s first division matches played during the weekend, Praslin Volleyball Club defeated OSC Comets 3-0 (25-21, 25-23, 25-20), while Juniors beat Santa West 3-1. The set scores were 25-18, 21-25, 25-9 and 25-15.
Praslin Volleyball club are now sixth on 21 points with four wins and 10 losses out of 14 matches. They have 14 sets for compared to 33 against.
As for winless Santa West, they are last with 13 points.
They have four sets in their favour and 39 against them.
Juniors, on the other hand, are fifth on 25 points after six wins and seven losses in 13 matches.
Their set difference is +3 – 22 for and 25 against.
OSC Comets remain seventh on 17 points after two wins and 11 defeats in 13 matches. They have 12 sets for and 35 against.
R. D.