Stratford Volleyball | Taranaki Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Taranaki

THE Taranaki Volleyball Champs were held on Sunday in Stratford, with the Stratford A Men out to defend the title from last year but expecting a tough battle.
Stratford A won their first two games, the second narrowly in a tight five-setter to effectively play in the final against Spotswood. 
The team got off to a good start, winning the first set, but Spotswood picked up their game and took out the match 3 -1.  Stratford B(made up of the up-and-coming younger players) fought resolutely in all its matches, making it tough on the opposition, including taking a set off the eventual winners.
The Stratford women played as a competitive unit keen to put it together on court but couldn’t overcome the top Spotswood team who took out the title.
Representative teams were:  Stratford A: Tusi Perenise, Hasely Lobb, Dennis Fredrickson, Neil Bosson, Peter Bell, Bruce Cleland. Shaun Cleland.
Stratford B: Shaun Cleland, Kalib Harris, Adrian Pitman, Kris Kretschmar, Joseph Smith, Robert Death, Adrian Brown.
Stratford Women: Emily Dennis-Bishop, Lorraine Smith, Donna Radich, Monica Edmonds, Kerri Cleland, Selena Brogden, Jude Sklenars.
The previous week was the culmination of the Stratford Volleyball Club champs.  Swahoah was the top team in A grade beating Lobbs Mob in the final 2 -1.  Fire Rescue took out a competitive B grade winning against new team Bob in the final.  Cranky Yankees enjoyed their season winning the C grade. 
MVPs in the A grade were Neil Bosson, the B grade Nicola Howells and C Grade Emma Huckstep.
Most improved male in the club was Joseph Smith. Playing in his first year, he ended up in the Stratford B rep team.    Most promising player is Kalib Harris, also in the mens B Rep team.  Most improved female was Rachel Martin.
Cups played for throughout the season were the Blain Cup, held by Headhunters in the A Grade and the Moore Cup held by Bob in the B grade. Cranky Yankees hold the Digby Cup in the C grade.
Neil Bosson was crowned King of the court along with Dennis Fredrickson. Between them they accumulated the most points on the day.  Dick Van der lely won the Jack of the Court and Joseph Smith won the Junior Player of the court.  Lorraine Smith was crowned Queen and Kerryn Jansen the Junior Queen.
All in all an enjoyable league involving 120 individuals with many new players this year.  This should flow through into the Spring league starting on Sunday 26th September which is a four aside competition running into the middle of December.
The next event on the calendar is the four aside tournament on September 4 and 5 at the stadium.  Entries to Dennis Fredrickson 06 756 8656 also check the website stratfordvolleyball.co.nz.