Stowmarket Claim League and Cup Double

Sunday 25th July 2008
Stowmarket Volleyball Club capped their best season in recent history by claiming the Suffolk Cup at Suffolk Volleyball Association's finals day. Stowmarket's victory completed a Suffolk League and Cup double, adding to an impressive fourth placed finish in the National League Division Three East.

Stowmarket 2, looking to avenge Newmarket's victory over Stowmarket 1 in the semi-final were without Jacob Kruger due to international commitments, but had newcomer Louis Jayasuriya available in his place. Stowmarket started well and comfortably took the first set; decent reception all-round giving setter Dave Richards the opportunity to set up some powerful attacks.
Stowmarket followed up their good start, building and defending another good lead in the second set, with powerful hitting from Louis Jayasuriya making an important contribution. Newmarket responded in the third set. Having switched into a central role, Nikola Mezanov consistently won points as Newmarket built up an
eight point lead. Stowmarket recovered towards the end of the set, but it was too little, too late and Newmarket held out to claim a set back.

Stowmarket built on their third set comeback in the fourth set, taking the lead early on and playing well throughout to claim their first Cup victory since 2002 and complete the League and Cup double.


Speaking after the final, Stowmarket captain Mark Ames was clearly pleased, "Its been an amazing season for Stowmarket, the double in the Suffolk competitions to add to 4th in the National league is brilliant! I just want to congratulate the team on all of their great work and wish good luck to Jacob Kruger, Hermus Chon and Tomek Lasocki who are moving away; we'll be real sorry to see them go. I am now really looking forward to next season, as although we are loosing a few key players we have also gained a few. I really believe we have a good shot at making top two in the national league, which could mean promotion to the second division."



A tournament open to players from all teams in the Suffolk competitions followed, in which the players had the chance to claim "Best Player" prize. New boy Chris Sherfield narrowly claimied the Division 1 prize ahead of Dave Richards, meaning Stowmarket walked away with an impressive three-trophy haul.