Castrol Strikers overcame the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) 3-2 when the Demerara Volleyball Association Senior Men’s League continued on Tuesday evening at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.
A 5-4 lead in favour of Castrol Strikers highlighted the start of the first set. Castrol then took an 11-5 lead following a 6-1 run. However, GDF responded with a 5-2 blitz to reduce the deficit to 13-10.
A 6-5 exchange in favour of Castrol Strikers saw them maintaining their marginal lead at 19-15 before another identical 6-5 run sealed the opening set at 25-20.
Castrol carried their momentum into the second set and seized a 4-0 advantage. However, GDF responded with a 6-0 run to take command at 6-4.
This would be as competitive as the match would become as Castrol dominated proceedings thereafter. An 8-2 blitz pushed Castrol into the lead at 12-8 before a 6-2 exchange further extended their lead to 18-10. A 7-3 run then sealed the set at 25-13 and secured a 2-0 lead.
The third set proved to be the most competitive of the match. GDF stormed to a 5-3 advantage before Castrol seized control at 8-6 following a 5-1 exchange.
A brief 10-10 deadlock was immediately followed by a 5-0 run from Castrol to lead at 15-10. However, GDF recorded an 8-1 blitz of their own to recapture control at 18-16. The sea-saw nature of the fixture continued as Castrol recorded a 5-1 exchange to race ahead at 21-19.
A response emanated from GDF who tied the score at 23-23 following a 4-1 blitz. The score was then tied at 24-24 before a 2-0 run sealed the result for the army unit.
The fourth set started perfectly for the army outfit as they raced to an 8-3 lead. A 7-7 exchange allowed GDF to maintain their advantage at 15-10 before a 4-1 run from Castrol reduced the deficit to 16-14. However, any attempts at a comeback by Castrol were quickly extinguished as GDF levelled the score at 2-2 following a 9-5 run.
A 3-3 start failed to separate the two sides in the initial salvos of the fifth and final set. Castrol then seized the lead at 7-3 following a 4-0 run an advantage they would eventually not relinquish. A 5-4 exchange ensured Castrol maintained their lead at 12-7. A 3-1 blitz then sealed the hard-fought victory at 15-8.
The event continues today at the same venue with another fixture. GDF will oppose Alphas at 20:00hrs.
