We entered two strong teams into the Cardiff Open in 2023. Taking the names from our EDVA squads we had ESVC Lightning and ESVC Thunder. Using the tournament as pre-season training we had players from our NVL and SW squad comprised the Lightning side. Thunder included new club players and those from our local league teams plus Tim Kirton from Wiltshire Mavericks (who didn’t enter this year!).
The weekend welcomes teams from across the West, offering new challeneges and problems for our men. Both teams succesfully navigated the pool stages and avoided each other in the semi-finals. Thunder couldn’t overcome their opponents to secure their place in the final as the “Polish Crazy Team” booked them spot, it was so close with Thunder trailing 25-23 at the buzzer. On the on the other court, Lightning saw off Stafford Knights in their semi, who troubled them in the group games, to set up a tasty final. Lightning, seeking revenge for their club mates exit, won 2-0 in a quality final bringing the title after loosing at the same point in 2022.
Written by Rob Young, No. 2, Libero (Lightning Captain).