Their win, as last season’s champions, was not unexpected.
However, from the start they were made to realise that Eastern were not going into the match thinking of defeat.
For with the strength of captain Chantal Coram’s serve, and superb setting, Eastern took control of the first game and with excellent spike control from Jo Dodsley and a strong presence at the net by Sally Hall they took the set 25-17.
However, a tougher attitude from the Jets thereafter, plus superior serving, saw the champions up the tempo to take the initiative.
Ann Sleight took the game to the opposition, enjoying a six-point serve spree, before Paula Hindley put her team on the road to winning the second set with conclusive spikes.
Meanwhile Ann Crawford’s hitting prowess and Maggi Jurajola, with her strong and accurate whipped hits, caused enough problems to the opposition as the Jets took the set 25-17.
The third set then saw the Jets take an early lead 6-1, after a strong series of serves from Crawford, although Eastern recovered to 6-5.
It was too little too soon, however, as Jets took the game 25-19.
They also took the deciding set.
Superb passing from Ellen Carroll and Michelle Hervieu gave the winners the initiative early on while Gemma Coles’ accuracy helped deflate Eastern’s attempts to get back in the game.
Without fuss or any serious lapse of concentration the Jets rode out winners, 3-1 and 25-13.
Meanwhile, in the men’s league, Kleinwort Benson Astros I beat Crills Sandkickers I 3-0 (26-24, 25-13, 25-11).
This proved to be a match, however, which Crills could have won – based on their first set performance.
For after Astros had gone ahead 6-2 on the strength of Damian Spencer’s serve, a lead they maintained up to 11-7, they fell behind when Steve Osmont was given the ball.
With the rest of the team also moving up a gear, they played tremendous volleyball and took the lead, 14-13.
However, even when Sandkickers lost the serve, they seemed unconcerned, and bounced back to lead24-18.
However, the experienced Astros’ team then produced some sparkling form of their own, for with six set points to save, Chris Powell stepped up to serve and, assisted by his team-mates who picked up every returned ball to good effect, the Sandkickers’ lead was gradually whittled away.
Peter Cadiou, spiking fantastically, and Stefan Gimenez, who was equally strong in the middle, botha dded vital points as Astros slowly clawed back the deficit.
Surely Crills could win one sole point? But no, the scores levelled at 24-all and after that the champions ran out winners, 26-24.
For tenacity they deserved their win, and then maintained this strength to win the next two sets 25-13, 25-11.
Also in the men’s league, Pentagon Red Hot Tomatoes beat Jackson’s Mitsubishi Island Ladies 3-0 (25-5, 25-13, 25-9).
Despite the scoreline this was never an easy win, not least because Tomatoes’ usual setter, Mick Toal, was out of the Island, which necessitated Marcin Migas taking on the role of playmaker.
In the end he excelled in that position, and with Murray Dron and Albin Piecuch showing supreme form through the middle, their quick short attacks proved too hot for the ladies to handle.
Out at position four, Mark Grenyer and Luke Rochester were also on top form as they pounded the ball cross the court, and out of touch.
Newcomer Sebastian Dudek also showed no nerves as he took to the court, adding good backcourt passes to accurate hits.
Although the ladies tried hard to stay in touch, they did so only by forcing the men into making simple errors.
Both Julie Sangan and Gemma Coles were able to get touches off the block and the men’s power play never saw them run completely away with the game.
Meanwhile, in the mixed league, the Bank of Scotland beat Jersey Post 2-0 (25-16, 25-13).
In this match the Bank of Scotland were able to create plays and kill the ball more effectively than the juniors, with Jill Britton, Paula Sandland and Lauren Johns all playing well.
However, with a limited squad, the junior team also played some of their best volleyball this season.
Natasha de Jesus and Matt Le Marquand set the ball well to such an extent that they often made their opponents struggle to play the ball.
Natalia de Jesus and India Titterington also served well, and Vincent McAviney passed effortlessly all game.
In the other games Peter Green Builders beat Itex 2-0 (25-18, 25-18) and Blues beat Beach Niners 2-0 (25-0, 25-0).
