NATIONAL KO CUP Docklandss 3 New Forest 0 LONDON DOCKLANDS returned to action with a comfortable 3-0 win over New Forest in the third round of the National KO Cup on Saturday. Docklands started confidently with setter Andy Vincett quickly establishing Sla

NATIONAL KO CUP

Docklandss 3 New Forest 0

LONDON DOCKLANDS returned to action with a comfortable 3-0 win over New Forest in the third round of the National KO Cup on Saturday.

Docklands started confidently with setter Andy Vincett quickly establishing Slawek Omylski as a threat in the middle, while Mohammed Sliti tormented New Forest with a run of seven serves, including two aces, to take Docklands 15-5 up.

The first set then became scrappy as errors crept into both side's play and Docklands meandered towards a 25-15 win.

New Forest led the second set after some good serving by Michael Johnson put his side into a 4-2 lead.

They maintained a slender advantage until a short run of Riccardo Senatore serves helped turn a 7-5 deficit into a 10-7 lead.

Docklands then started to score points at will with coach Ian Legrand also taking the opportunity to introduce new players as a kill by Martin Blake produced the same score as set one.

Both coaches re-jigged their line-ups at the start of the third set, which meant both teams took a while to settle into any sort of rhythm.

It was Docklands who made the first break at 4-4 with kills by George Uzunov and Blake opening up a lead.

However, after good work by Daniele Di Bella helped Docklands take a 13-7 lead, New Forest hit back to trail 14-13.

Docklands responded well with points from Wayne Davies and Uzunov relieving the pressure and the pair continued to dominate the play as Docklands closed out the match 25-19 to reach the quarter-finals.

"After such a long break it is never easy to get back into match mode, but we performed professionally and as the situation dictated," said a delighted Legrand, ahead of Saturday's home league encountner with Warwick Riga.

"We need to step up a couple of levels next week as Riga are a completely different proposition. This match could also go a long way to defining our season.