Thailand Junior Championships
’91 Australian Youth Boys v Nokornnon
Match 4 – 27-05-09

AUS lost to NOK 2:3 (16-25, 25-23, 19-25, 25-18, 18-20)

AUS Starting Line-up (and points scored): Peacock (C)(11)(AIS/SA), Lowe (15)(AIS/NSW), Clewes (11)(AIS/SA), Bates (1)(VIC), Mercer (2)(AIS/QLD), Winzar (4)(VIC), Borgeaud (libero)(ACT)
Substitutes: Lillywhite (0)(AIS/WA), Simmonds (1)(WA), Bell (10)(QLD), Cook (1)(QLD), L.Hill (16)(VIC)

Match Report

Playing their first quarter-final round match, the Australian team gave their all, but were unable to overcome their spirited opponents in an epic five set match. In a highly entertaining match in front of a large local crowd (including a very vocal ’93 Australian Youth Boys Team), the ’91 Australian team proved their own worst enemies at times, forced into error as they struggled to terminate the ball on attack.

Despite a highly focussed and intense warmup period, the Australian team was slow off the mark in the first set. Five attack errors prior to the first technical (6-8) really limiting the teams ability to generate momentum. Consecutive sideout kills through Lowe appeared to settle the team down at 8-9, however it was just a façade as three further errors on attack sent the teams into the second technical timeout 11-16. A kill block to Bell soon after he took over the setting duties the only other highlight for the set, a total of 16 combined errors for the set making their job virtually impossible, 16-25.

Sporting a vastly different lineup in the second set, the Australians adjusted quickly to the fast-paced game the Thai team was playing, however still trailed early 5-7. L. Hill took advantage of a transition opportunity to close the gap to one, prior to the technical timeout. Although Clewes successfully sided out on consecutive attempts, the team still gave too many free points to the opposition to have them lead 10-13. Kill blocks to Lowe and Bell showed the signs of what was to come as the team closed marginally at 14-16. A further block each to Bell and Lowe kept the Aussies in with a chance at 21-22. A chance that was taken, as the Australians forced three errors in a row to have their first set point at 24-23. Blocking sub Cook was up to the task, registering a kill block to close out the set, 25-23.

Unfortunately the Australians were unable to take advantage of their newly found momentum, gifting 5 points to their opposition prior to the first technical (4-8). L. Hill helped the team by siding out effectively, as well as providing a kill block; while Bell chipped in with his fourth block for the match. Despite these efforts, the team still trailed 13-16 at the second technical timeout. This lead was increased when the Australians made a further 3 errors, bringing the total to 14 for the set. Australia losing the set 19-25.

Australia looked far more determined in the fourth set, leading 8-6 courtesy of yet another Lowe block. Clewes was duly rewarded for his persistence on attack through the middle when he sided-out twice and then scored a transition kill. Some strong scrambling in the backcourt by Borgeaud provided the team with additional transition opportunities, however the opposition defence was similarly up to the task. Instead the Aussies were forced to rely further on their block to score points – thankfully Lowe and Bell provided another block each, taking their totals to five and six respectively. A service ace each to Winzar and Bell forcing the match to a deciding fifth set, 25-19.

Continuing with their momentum from the previous set, the Australian team was out to an early 5-3 lead when Lowe again kill blocked. Peacock sided-out effectively (playing as opposite) and then scored a service ace to have the teams change ends at 8-4. The Thai’s lifted their defence and made attack kills hard to come by for the Australian team. L. Hill the only Australian attacker able to find the floor. A sizeable lead was still maintained at 12:7, however the Australian team was repeatedly defended and out-attacked by their opposition. The Australians were offered a lifeline at 14-14 when the Thai’s errored on attack to give them their second match point. From this point, each rally lasted several crosses of the net, which delighted the crowd, but frustrated the young Australian team as they were unable to terminate the ball. Despite having five match points, the Australians could not come up with the required winner to take the game. Although the team had done well at playing a relatively error free set, it was two attack errors that closed out the match in favour of the local team, 18-20.

Despite tonights result, the ’91 Australian Youth Boys Team (1 win, 1 loss in the quarter-final round) must now back up to play Bangkapi (2 wins, 0 losses in the quarter-final round) at 1515 local time tomorrow, where a win is essential if they are to proceed to the semi-finals on Friday.

Statistics

Attack – Team 33% kill 25% error (8%ke) Clewes 50% kill (22) 14% error
Block – Team 15 kills, Lowe and Bell 6 kills
Passing – Team 2.24 49% perfect 3% error, L. Hill 2.48 (21) 67% perfect 5% error
Serving – Team 1.84 5 aces 6 errors, Peacock 2.13 (15), Bell 2.00 (15), Clewes 2.00 (14); Bell 2 aces

Best players – Bell