MAVL R3 - G4 AIS v Canberra Heat
Set 1
Heat - Beck, Borgeaud, Farrer, D Tyrrell, Langford, Crombie, C Currie (L)
AIS - Smith, Welsh, Barry, Lillywhite, Thwaite, Leathart, Tyrrell (L)
The last time these two teams played each other, just last week, it was a rather one sided affair with the AIS dominating the Heat for most of the game. The Heat have improved their game from that last outing and are keep the scores level with the AIS up until about 11-11, when now the AIS just step up a bit putting on a bit more pressure and start to creep away with the score. With the scores at 14-11 to the AIS, the Heat call for a time out.
Not to be outdone, the Heat start to show some improvement and close the gap. Farrer is hitting well from the backrow, playing in his usual position at opposite. Catching up on the scoreboard the Heat are to with in 2 points, 15-17 as the AIS take a time out.
A few changes for the AIS now, Lowe in for Leathart and Young and Clewes in for Welsh and Lillywhite. The AIS are still in control though and not looking to falter. They lead 21-17 as the Heat call for their second time out.
Reverse subs for the AIS, Welsh and Lillywhite back in. Heat make a change as well, bringing on Steve Currie to serve for Langford. Smith gets a huge roof block on Borgeaud to give the AIS 22 points. Smith then tools Borgeaud's block on the next point and the AIS have 23 points. Matt Tyrrell replaces Borgeaud for the Heat and he sides out straight away with his first touch. Smith hits a clean kill into 6 to brings up set point for the AIS 24-19. Net touch by the AIS saves it for the Heat. But again its Smith who easily finds the seam in the Heat's block to hit another clean kill and the AIS take the first set comfortably 25-20.
Set 2
Heat - Beck, Borgeaud, Farrer, D Tyrrell, Langford, Crombie, C Currie (L)
AIS - Smith, Welsh, Barry, Lillywhite, Thwaite, Leathart, Tyrrell (L)
No changes to the line ups from both sides, but with the score at 1-1, Crombie is replaced by S Currie to receive some medical attention to a jarred thumb. The AIS are just too strong and powerful for the Canberra Heat this set. Whilst the scores seem close the Heat are making errors that are costing them the points. Still only in the first half of this set and the Heat have used both their time outs so far at 5-7 and 7-11 down. The AIS keep hitting the ball harder and harder with Smith and Lillywhite smacking more leather off the ball with each spike.
The Heat find a service target in Leathart who shanks the ball in reception giving the Heat an easy point and closing the gap. They trail 11-12 forcing the AIS to use a time out. Heat bring in Chand and M Tyrrell for Farrer and J Tyrrell. Luke Smith's jumo serves are causing some problems for the Heat and the AIS easily extend their lead out to 16-13 now.
The Heat are not really causing any real trouble for the AIS and they quickly wrap up the set in the end through their big hits and the errors from the Heat and the set finishes at 25-20 to the AIS.
Set 3
Heat - Beck, Borgeaud, Farrer, D Tyrrell, Langford, M Tyrrell, C Currie (L)
AIS - Smith, Welsh, Barry, Lillywhite, Thwaite, Leathart, Tyrrell (L)
It's 8-5 to the AIS as the Heat take a time out. Continuing on from where the left off in the second the AIS are dominating this game as the Heat struggle with simple hitting errors. Matt Young comes in for the AIS, replacing Smith. Avi Chand checks in for the Heat replacing D Tyrrell. The AIS are up by 6 points now extending their lead to 11-5.
Borgeaud from the outside fires on across court, helping his team to get back to withintwo, 10-12. AIS call time out. Nils Langford gets te block, 11-12. Smith on for Young. Communication is a problem with Tyrrell, running into Farrer, while trying to set the ball, but dispite the errors that Heat are making they remain close behind AIS, 13-14. Lillywhite replaces Borgeaud. Andre Borgeaud is firing them from both sides of the court, continuing to get the touch off the block, it evens the score at 15-all. AIS string a few points together to extend their lead, but can't shake off Heat, its back to all, 19-19.
Heat are producing the big points at critical times, 21-21. Time out. AIS lead 23-21. Steve Currie replaces Borgeaud. AIS close out the match 25-22, 3:0. Netx up we have Uni Blues taking on UTSSU, its UTSSU last game of the preliminary rounds, its a must win game for them to keep their finals hopes alive.
