York 2-3 York Phoenix (15-25, 25-15, 21-25, 25-11, 11-15) 95 mins.

York Men's Premier League team lost their 2nd 5-setter in a week, against local rivals, York Phoenix. The game, brought forward due to the college sports hall closure in January, found York unable to field either of their regular setters, whereas York Phoenix had the luxury of choosing from 3 setters. Phoenix decided to play one of the usual setters, Derek Cattle, as a specialist defensive libero. His passing skills and court coverage made a big difference to the final result, as York were unable to win easy points on serve or attack. York called up one of their NVL players, Matt Bianco, to fill the setting duties. His height also helped on the block which formed a formidable wall.

The momentum of the match swung first one way then the other. Firstly to Phoenix, with their middle attackers, Dave Fielding and Nigel Dowker, enjoying success with some well placed, deep spikes. Phoenix took the 1st set comfortably 25-15, after York conceded 9 points on one serve receive rotation. But a minor change in their line-up saw York dominate the 2nd set. Captain Wayne Palmer applied the killing blow, winning 7 points on his serve to take the set out of reach, winning it 25-15. The 3rd set was the most closely contested of the whole match with Phoenix leading and York pulling level at 12-all. Phoenix took the lead again, only for York to come back to 20-21. But crucial errors made in defence cost the York team the set 25-21.

Suitably chastised by their coach, the York team came out and blew Phoenix away in the 4th set, 25-11. From the 1st point York played much better as a team and Phoenix could not find a way to score any points. The tie-break 5th set was tight, with Phoenix leading 8-6 at the change of ends. A missed serve from York gave Phoenix the advantage and they opened up a 5 point lead 12-7. Despite a spirited comeback, it was too little too late, with the final point lost disappointingly, to a poor dig and then a centre line infringement. Phoenix took the match 15-11 in the 5th. York will look at this as a good opportunity missed, as they outscored their opponents 97-91 over 5 sets, but didn't win the points when it counted.

York have 2 Men's Premier League matches next week, away against Menwith Hill on Thursday, followed by another away trip, on Sunday, to play Boathouse VC, in Dewsbury.

Team: Rob Barker, Matt Bianco, Michal Jaworski, Piotr Makowski, Adam Meszczynski, Wayne Palmer, Mike Turner