Ayyappan scripts a win for Sappers

MEG, who were rusty in the first set, bounced back to clinch the match 22-25, 30-28, 25-19, 25-22 at the Sree Kanteerava stadium on Tuesday. CIL took control early in the game as their spikers came up with searing smashes to put MEG under pressure. Jagadish with his sensible play at the net and veteran Shankar marshalled resources well to hand CIL a 1-0 lead.

MEG found their rhythm in the second set. Setter Surendran set the tone with good passes to his lanky spikers as Armymen shot into a 11-4 lead for the first time in the match. However, CIL front-liners wrested back the advantage to level the scores at 24-24. MEG’s Ayyappan then unleashed telling smashes interlaced with delicate drops to help his team grab the second set at 30-28.
In the third set, CIL raced into an early 8-2 lead thanks to Chandrashekar, who doubled up as a defender and spiker.

MEG’s Sachin, who remained dormant for most part, stepped up his game to help Armymen claim the third set.
In the fourth set, with the scores at 8-all, in an attempt to unsettle MEG, CIL pushed forward four spikers.

But the plan back-fired and MEG took a 16-9 lead. Though, CIL gave a last minute surge, MEG hold on to the lead to seal the issue in convincing fashion.
Meanwhile, South Western Railways sit pretty on top of the Pool B table with nine points from five matches while MEG are placed second with seven points from three matches.
Other results: ITI bt Sports Hostel 3-0 (27-25, 25-15, 25-23); SWR bt BEL 3-0 (25-14, 25-20, 25-17).