Docklands new coach Ercument Karakoc says there is still room for improvement

London Docklands 3 Tendring 0

Docklands remain unbeaten in Men’s National Division One after two comfortable victories over the weekend against Tendring and London Lynx.

They sit third in the table and are the only team in the division still unbeaten.

In recent years, Docklands and Tendring have been fierce rivals and it looked like it would be close again when the visitors pulled back from 8-4 to 12-12 in the opener, led by former Docklands and GB star Alex Porter,

There were too many errors from the home side, but a period of service pressure from Raul Sanchez Galan finally forced them 24-19 ahead and despite a late Tendring rally, they held on to win it 25-23.

The start of the second set followed along similar lines, but this time Tendring could not muscle their way back and with some solid defence from Matteo Cottignoli they coasted to a 25-15 win.

Tendring who started better in the third, opening up an 8-5 lead and it looked like it would go down to the wire with the score at 20-20.

However, a smash and then an ace by Sanchez Galan gave Diocklands the momentum and they closed out the set 25-22 with a kill by Platon Vogiatzoglou.

Sunday’s clash with London Lynx saw new coach Ercument Karakoc take on his former club and he could not have made a better start as strong serving by Marc Schaepertoens and Sanchez Galan put them 7-2 ahead.

Docklands’ experience proved too much for their young opponents as they sealed a 25-19 first-set win and Lynx were further hit at the beginning of the second set as Luis Elenov twisted his ankle, leaving them at a bare minimum of players.

They fought gamely, but an ace by Yavor Popov secured the second set 25-19.

Traiing 21-19 in the third, Karakoc called a time out and that did the trick as they quickly turned it into a 22-21 lead, before securing the set 25-22 and the match 3-0.

“We will get better, but at this stage of the season, I’ll take two 3-0 wins every time,” said the coach after Sunday’s win.

Docklands now have another two-week break before they take on Division Three Central side Dartford to start their KO Cup campaign. The winners will face a home tie with holders Wessex in round two.