Volleyball Centre of Excellence
Richmond Docklands were forced to rue missed opportunities as they attempted to do the double over Super8s champions IBB Polonia London. Luis Bello’s side had stunned Polonia on the opening day of the season with a dramatic five-set victory, giving Richmond Docklands’ a massive boost at the start of the season. But Polonia gained revenge in a hard fought encounter that so easily could’ve gone the other way.
Richmond Docklands completed their regular season Super8s home fixtures in front of a boisterous home crowd but despite a strong opening they could not secure a surprise victory over league leaders Team Northumbria.
Richmond Docklands’ KO cup campaign came to an abrupt end in the quarter finals against a strong Sheffield side. Luis Bello’s team travelled with only eight players and without a regular opposite player. Joaquin Bello stepped up to the challenge opposite his brother Javier and did a great job but a high error count cost Docklands against a clinical Sheffield team.
After two magnificent wins last weekend, Richmond Docklands maintained their momentum in 2018 to register their sixth Super8s victory of the season. In doing so they did the league double over Wessex and retained third place in the table.
Less than 24 hours after doing the double over cross-London rivals Lynx, Richmond Docklands were back in action at the Kingston Arena against Essex Blaze.
With a strong coaching set-up in place and a team littered with talent, albeit of a more recent vintage than the hosts, Essex have improved immeasurably throughout their first season of Super8s volleyball.
