FDL hit back to win marathon match

The only match from the men's league last weekend at the Cottonera Sports Complex saw Fleur de Lys and new club SouthEnd involved in a marathon which lasted two-and-a-half hours.

Both sides fought for each point until the very end, providing some exciting fare to those present in the stands.

SouthEnd started on a high and took the first two sets 25-21 and 25-19. Patrick Felice Pace excelled in his attacks, making the most of the sets supplied by Mark Soler.

Sitting on a comfortable lead, SouthEnd were only a step away from a remarkable second successive win. However, FDL had other plans in mind and clinched the next two sets, with identical scores of 25-18, to force a a nail-biting decisive fifth set.

Balance prevailed in the final set but then Swedish setter Par Hoglund and Paul Tonna helped FDL level the scores at 15-15. The team maintained the upperhand and went on to pick the next two points to close the set 17-15 and the match 3-2.

In the women's league, champions Paola Hibs Candy were made to sweat to see off Flyers' challenge.

Flyers were missing Louise Spiteri and Mary Zammit through injury.

Hibs had a terrible start as they lost the opening set. However, they regrouped to win the next two sets and move 2-1 ahead with Alison Borg distinguishing herself in many of the Paolites' attacks.

The fourth set was a close tie but eventually the more experienced Hibs turned the tide in their favour to wrap the points at 25-23.