Volleyball : Bellshill Cardinals reach the fourth round of Scottish Cup

Nov 26 2009 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

BELLSHILL Cardinals Volleyball Club reached the Scottish Cup fourth round with a hard-fought win over Linlithgow last weekend.

Cardinals supporters will have expected a straightforward win but Linlithgow put up a strong fight and led 8-2 in the first set, pulled it back to 16-16 following some good play by the hosts, but eventually succumbed 25-17.

Bellshill also took the second set but in much more comfortable circumstances, winning 25-14.

Cardinals took the third set, eventually wearing down a resolute defence to win set 25-17 for a 3-0 victory.

North Lanarkshire Ladies were involved in the final round of the Top Teams Cup against rivals Su Ragazzi.

Each team fought for every point in the first set. Su Ragazzi took a 23-20 lead and North Lanarkshire pulled it back to 25-24, only to lose the set-point, and then the set, by 27-25.

Lack of concentration in the second set allowed Su Ragazzi to take the lead and they ran out convincing 25-11 winners.

North Lanarkshire rang the changes in the third set, with Aileen Hall moving to outside hitter, Gillian Sharp moving to the middle and middle hitter Caitlin McEwan moving to setter.

Unfortunately, it made little difference as Su Ragazzi took the set 25-18 to win the match 3-0.

Next week both sides are away to Glasgow Mets.