NATIONAL ONE City of Bristol 3 Docklands 2 DOCKLANDS lost their second five-set match in a row to leave their National One safety in jeopardy. Despite a strong run of serves by Mark Hitchcock, Bristol eased to a 25-18 first set win. A run of Mohammed Slit

NATIONAL ONE

City of Bristol 3 Docklands 2

DOCKLANDS lost their second five-set match in a row to leave their National One safety in jeopardy.

Despite a strong run of serves by Mark Hitchcock, Bristol eased to a 25-18 first set win.

A run of Mohammed Sliti serves got Docklands moving in set two, and man-of-the-match Riccardo Senatore produced a clever block, allowing captain Alexis Blair to seal a 26-24 victory.

The third set was tied at 21-21 by Boris Halatchev, but the home side eventually won 25-22.

Docklands fought back though and some good work at the net by Blair and Senatore saw the match move to a fifth set.

This was Docklands' fifth five-setter in the league and they haven't won one since the opening day of the season.

They trailed 7-4 until a deft hit by Sliti saw Hitchcock back on serve and his run put Docklands ahead.

However, Hitchcock could only find the net after the short interlude and Bristol moved 9-8 ahead.

Senatore responded, but the hosts ran away with it, eventually taking the set 15-11.

Docklands are at home to Reading next weekend and coach, Ian Legrand, said: "We lost that in the first set when we were too slow and gave Bristol a comfortable start to the match.

"We will not be able to do that next week and we must be focused right from the start of the game."

Docklands: Davies, Schaepertoens, Halatchev, Hitchcock, Senatore, Gaitan, Blake, M Sliti, Blair, Mills.