Blue Knights are the champs
The winners are Blue Knights: (standing) Sylvester ‘Sly’ Munian, Vee Munsamy, Yeshan Munsamy, Reginald Abraham, Roy Munsamy (manager), Jonah Perumal (captain); (front) Ashley Naidoo, Norman Joshua and Julian Pillay*
Shaun Ramsamy
IT was time for the final.
In the warm up, it looked like the Blue Knights meant business and had set their sights on victory against the Rejects.
Although the Rejects stole an early lead, this was short-lived.
Leading 5-1, the Rejects were not able to capitalise on their early fortune and were made to regret this shortcoming.
Strong, decisive play by Jonah Perumal and Reginald Abraham dictated the way the first set finished. Some fine finishing by Rejects’ Vincent Pillay was not enough to help his team reclaim the advantage and they went down 25-20 in the first set. The Rejects rallied together during the break and seemed to be getting the upper-hand once again by leading early in the second set.
Some gritty defensive play and cover work by Knights’ Sylvester Munian and Norman Joshua denied the Rejects running away with the lead. The boys of the Rejects displayed excellent team spirit and brought the score to 18-18, keeping pressure on the Knights.
Kevin Naidoo of the Rejects put in an admirable effort throughout the set, making some terrific saves and keeping his team in the match. Some inspirational play by the Rejects’ Nashlyn Manikum hauled his team to within reach of the target. However, some sloppy cover work by the Rejects players ended the second set in disappointment for them (25-23).
Rejuvenated
The second break did some good for the Rejects players.
The third set saw the rejuvenating Rejects steal a 11-6 lead. As was the case in the first two sets, though, the Rejects players were unable to capitalise on the advantage and kept on allowing the fiery Knights into the match.
With a 20-16 lead, the Rejects smelt victory, but then the unthinkable happened, the Knights reduced the lead to just one point.
Some remarkable spiking by Perumal and good cover work by the rest of the Knights saw them overhaul the Rejects (22-21).
Sadly, the Rejects, even though they had put up a valiant fight, had choked!
The set and match hung in the balance.
With both sides locked on 23-23, the Knights mounted an attack, which saw clever dumping by Perumal, which eventually won the point and set up the match point.
A poor pass, off the Knights’ serve, landed on the net and a jubilant Knights team celebrated their first winners’ trophy.
Due to Mondi not being able to fulfil the third place play-off match, the 1818 Kingz were awarded third place.