Volleyball: League Championship-SMB and Racing Club intensify battle for top places |14 June 2006

Losses for Cascade and Premium Spikers last Saturday have seen SMB move into second place behind leaders Arsu in the women’s league, while Racing Club have closed the gap on second-placed Premium Spikers.

Playing in their first season in the top flight after winning promotion last year, SMB collected their fifth win in six matches on Sunday by defeating La Digue 3-1 (19-25 25-21 25-23 26-24) after 88 minutes of play.

Winning against La Digue who finished third in the league last year, proves that SMB could be the team to challenge Arsu and Cascade for honours this year.

They have amassed 16 points, two less than the total of reigning champions Arsu who boast a perfect record of six wins in six matches played.

With a match in hand on both Arsu and SMB, Cascade are occupying third position with 13 points.

In the men’s first division league, Racing Club got the better of Juniors in a 3-0 (25-22 25-7 25-21) win last Sunday. With their fourth victory, Racing Club have brought their points tally to 14, two less than second-placed Premium Spikers who suffered their first league defeat against Beau Vallon last Saturday. Beau Vallon lead the standings with maximum 18 points from six games.

In another men’s first division encounter last Sunday, St Louis needed five sets and 104 minutes to beat Roots 3-2 (21-25 27-25 20-25 29-27 15-11).

In the women’s second division, there were wins for RC United, GAP United and Mont Fleuri United.

RC United beat Magpie Robins 3-0 (25-15 25-16 25-11), GAP United edged Santa West 3-2 (22-25 25-18 18-25 25-16 15-12) and Mont Fleuri United defeated Police 3-0 (25-15 25-21 25-18).

G. J.