Sport
10 July, 2024
Premierships for Poachers and Pirates
UPSETS in the Corangamite volleyball A grade semi-finals turned the premiership hunt upside down.
![B grade premiers, Pirates, from left: Kelvin White (manager), David Hallyburton (captain), Orson Capizzi, Felix Mguena, Adam Jopling, Aiden Vallejo and Nicolas O’Brien. Absent: Dean Capizzi.](https://wdnews-4634.kxcdn.com/img/containers/assets/pirates-2024-b-grade-autumn.jpg/b07c1fa206aa474015ffce82250b16be.jpg)
The big surprise was fourth team Stallions taking out top team Bulls 3-2 in an extremely tight clash, with both teams displaying great skills.
After losing the first set, Bulls recovered to take the next two but Stallions fought back to level up when the siren blew.
A short fifth set in extra time went the way of Stallions.
In the other semi-final, third team Poachers kept second team NOBTS at bay with a 2-1 win, meaning the final was played between Poachers and Stallions – teams three and four.
The experienced Poachers held the upper hand during the first two sets and, while Stallions fought back in the third, they ran out of time to snatch the fourth – a 2-1 premiership win to Poachers.
Austin deBie was judged MVP for providing plenty of opportunities for his team-mates and putting the ball away when he had the chance.
B grade saw Slugs easily defeat Ballbusters 3-0 in the semi-final for the right to play new team Pirates in the decider.
After a sluggish first set, the young Pirates took over to dominate the next three and claim the title with a score-line of 3-1.
MVP Adam Jopling led the way for Pirates, spiking some unreturnable balls.
It was an impressive performance by the winners, who were born out of a group of players coming together before and during the season.
The winter volleyball season will begin next Tuesday, July 16 from 7pm in the Cobden Technical School gymnasium.
For more information phone 0429 921 876 or 0428 799 690.
![A grade premiers, Poachers, from left Gary Oates, Ingrid Bellman, Brendan Crameri, John Fallon, Stuart deBie (captain), Riley Chamberlain and Austin deBie.](https://wdnews-4634.kxcdn.com/img/containers/assets/news/poachers-2024-autumn-a-grade.jpg/2c36cd354bc19c79133c4405aac7a38c.jpg)