Volleyballers eye finals berth
Finals volleyball played out on the Busselton foreshore this week, with players going all out to win a spot in the grand final.
The two-a-side semi and preliminary finals were held on Monday night.
In an unusual twist, the top-rated Wilde Brazilians pulled out and the next best-rated team outside the top four stepped in as a replacement.
Replacement finalists Parooze caused a major upset in their semi-final against the best-rated team from Pool A, Sandstorm.
Ali Hussaini led Parooze well as he attacked the ball to put the Stormers under constant pressure.
Rob Kinninmont was at his usual skilful best but was unable to take the initiative away from Parooze who eased their way into the preliminary final by six points.
The best match of the finals was the semifinal between The Heat and I'd Hit That.
In a contest that didn't see either team take full control, all four players showed great commitment.
The Heat eventually outlasted I'd Hit That and Jemma Berryman by the required two points.
Hard Balls always had control in their semifinal against One Hit Wonders with a strong and youthful team who were able to win by eight points.
Hard Balls took this level of play into their match against Sand Crabs which they won by 15 points and put them as favourites for the grand final on March 9 against The Heat.
In A-reserve, the expected results came to fruition as both the top two teams cruised through to the grand final on March 9 as Roosters defeated 27 and Bootz defeated Setting Ducks.
In the Wednesday four-a-side competition, the A-grade will have the perfect match-up when Barra play Cudas in the grand final.
Both teams had different semifinal victories, including a forfeit win to Cudas. A four-man combination Barra took on a two-a-side This is Brazil.
Thiago Bacellar and Christie Daniels led for most of the match until fatigue became a factor, and were unable to stop Barra in scoring the final 10 points of the match to see them win the match by four points.
This is Brazil produced a great performance against a team that had twice as many players.
In the social grade, Give It A Hit had a marathon match against Abusement Park in their semifinal as both teams entered unchartered territory of going into the 40 points zone. The Hitters won 44-42.
In their preliminary final, the Hitters went down to Babin Beach Batches by a narrow three points to take them into the final against Scrubs.
Results *:
Two-a-side: A-grade: Semifinal: Parooze d SandStorm 40-34 (A Hussiani, R Kinninmont); The Heat d I'd Hit That 43-41 (T Gow, W Combridge); Hard balls d One Hit Wonders 40-32 (G Abbott, R Brennan); Sand Crabs d those Guys by forfeit. Preliminary finals: Hard Balls d Sand Crabs 40-25 (G Abbott, K Hooson, The Heat d Parooze 40-36 (T Gow, A Hussiani). A-reserve: Semifinal: Roosters d 27 40-25 (L Ruane, B Baccuhus); Bootz d Setting Ducks 40-21 (D Mickan, J Fleming). Four-a-side: A-grade: Barra d This is Brazil 40-36 (J Alcorn, T Bacellar); Cudas d Ball Busters by forfeit. Social: Semifinal: Give It A Hit d Abusement Park 44-42 (J Cockman, P Corn); Sunset Raiders d Kinky Sets 40-31 (K Kovac, K Keifer); Babin Beach Batches d League of Legends 40-31 (V Naydenov, J Roberts); Scrubs d Bagus Spirits 40-33 (S Combridge, Y Maxwell). Preliminary final: Babin Beach Batches d Give It A Hit 40-37 (J Garrett, J Cockman); Scrubs d Sunset Raiders 40-37 (M Stigler, T Everett).
