Super League Review (21st and 22nd February) - Chaos at Cobham as Essex women return to winning ways

MAAREE Women's Super League

After losing their previous two matches, the visitors were eager to bounce back, but faced a tough challenge against Malory Eagles, who had won their last three league fixtures.

The match began evenly, with Essex edging the opening set 25-23. The Rebels then capitalised on 14 Malory errors in the second set to take control, winning 25-18.

Not wanting to disappoint the home crowd at Cobham, the Eagles regrouped and claimed the third set 25-18 to extend the contest. Across the third and fourth sets, last season’s league champions sided out at an impressive 70.3% and recorded six aces. They took the fourth 25-17 to force a deciding set.

Chaos then struck...

Essex had the early momentum in the fifth set and led 6-5 when, for the second time at Cobham, a floorboard broke, forcing play to be suspended. After switching courts, officials and coaches agreed to restart the set from the beginning.

The reset made little difference to the outcome. Essex once again built the same 6-5 lead, powered by a huge performance from Elayna Durprey, who delivered five kills in the final set. Malory battled hard but fell just short, with the Rebels clinching a dramatic 16-14 victory.

The result completes a season double for the Colchester-based side over Malory and reduces the gap between the two teams to just one point.

Durprey was deservedly named MVP for Essex after finishing with 18 kills, one block, one ace and producing consistent passing throughout. Fellow American Chloe Allen earned MVP honours for Malory with 16 kills, three blocks and two aces.

Elsewhere, the battle for fourth place intensified as Team SideOut Polonia showcased their experience with a 3-0 (25-23, 25-11, 25-18) victory over Newcastle Knights.

Anastasiia Konovalova hit an outstanding .438 with 15 kills and a block, but it was Grace Lazard, returning after missing the National Cup quarter-final against Essex, who earned MVP recognition after registering six blocks, seven kills (.462 hitting efficiency) and an ace in an all-around display.

The win saw SideOut leapfrog Newcastle into the final Final 4 qualification spot. The Leyton-based side are now level on points with Essex Rebels, although they have played one more match.

It was a double success for SideOut, who also claimed a crucial 3–1 win over Darkstar Derbyshire on Saturday. Head coach Mark Kontopoulos rotated his squad with one eye on Sunday’s clash against Newcastle, with almost all players seeing court time.

Carla Mulli led the offence with 15 kills to earn MVP honours, while also contributing two aces, 12 digs and a 2.17 passing average. Konovalova added 13 kills, while Lazard recorded four blocks. Alice Brand was MVP for Darkstar with 12 kills (.300), two aces and two blocks.

Darkstar remain seventh, just one point behind Lionhearts.

Lionhearts Vinarius hosted Newcastle Knights in another tight contest, with two of the three sets decided by narrow margins. Jenna Vaske claimed MVP for Newcastle, while Kersti Sorra earned the accolade for the home side.

The 3-0 (25-22, 25-19, 25-23) loss for the Londoners keeps them in the relegation play-off places, but they are six points clear of Leeds Gorse in the automatic relegation spot.

A key midweek fixture also impacted the standings, as Durham Palatinates maintained their unbeaten record with a commanding 3-0 (25-10, 25-17, 25-13) win over Leeds Gorse.

Durham underlined their title credentials by hitting .388 as a team, siding out at 76.2% and serving 10 aces. Izzy Decker and Rayliene Joens combined for 15 kills, with both hitting .500. Malea Stanton was named MVP for the Palatinates, with Krystina Ngatcha earning the award for Leeds.

Durham remain top of the table with 10 wins from 10, with one more win likely to secure their Final 4 spot.

DYNAMIK Men's Super League 

There were jokes on the Super League Live stream about history repeating itself at Cobham after a previous floor incident involving Nathan Fullerton, but while the women’s match delivered drama, the men’s contest was more straightforward.

Malory Eagles secured a 3-0 (25-20, 25-20, 25-15) victory over Essex Rebels, leaving Essex four points adrift of fourth-placed University of Nottingham and the hosts just a point behind top two London Giants and Newcastle Knights.

It was a high-risk, high-reward encounter, with Malory committing 33 errors and Essex 38, reflecting both sides’ aggressive approach.

Abdimalik Shukri impressed on debut for the Eagles with seven kills, a solo block and an ace.

However, setter Sonner Yashar claimed MVP honours after orchestrating the offence with over 50% assist efficiency and adding a block. Euan Fraser earned the award for Essex with 10 kills.

The Durham Palatinates boosted their survival hopes with a dramatic reverse sweep against University of Nottingham.

Nottingham took the opening two sets 25-22, 25-17 and looked on course for a comfortable win, but Durham responded emphatically, taking the third set 25-15 before edging a tense fourth 25-23.

In the deciding set, Durham completed the comeback (15-10) to claim two vital points, lifting them to sixth in the table. They now hold a game in hand over Leeds Gorse,, just below them, but have played one more than Essex Rebels, who are fifth.

London Giants rounded off the weekend with a commanding 3-0 win over local rivals Richmond Docklands to return to the summit.

Their coach Mihail Stoev took to the court this weekend with eight kills from 14 swings while the ever-reliable Hamza Ouyachi got three blocks and six kills off nine swings. 

They are level on points with Newcastle Knights at the top, but with a better set quotient, as the race for the number one seed heading into the Final 4 intensifies.

It promises to be a pivotal week at both ends of the table coming up. Essex men travel north to face Newcastle on Friday before making the short trip to Durham on Sunday.

Team SideOut Polonia women can further strengthen their Final 4 ambitions when they host Leeds at Super League Live at Score Leisure Centre.

Richmond Docklands men will also aim to climb off the bottom of the table when they face the University of Nottingham as part of the same event.

Images by Ari Greenburg and Evelyn Lee

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