Third Zwe Lespwar – Volleyball - La Digue, Anse Royale the winners |27 August 2018

La Digue came back from a set behind to shock Anse Royale secondary and clinch the girls’ volleyball title of the third Zwe Lespwar, while the boys from Anse Royale ensured that the cup remains on Mahé with a straight-set 2-0 victory over Praslin during the finals yesterday.

In the girls final at the Palais des Sports, it all started well for Anse Royale who took an early 13-6 lead in the first set, putting some pressure on the La Digue entourage. They extended their lead to 22-15, before easily clinching the first set 25-18.

A different La Digue emerged during the second set, keeping the score close, catching up with their opponents all throughout the set. La Digue managed to level the score at 22-22, then 23-23, before letting the score slip to trail 23-24.

They, however, kept their composure and fought back, levelling the score at 25 points apiece, before putting the extra effort to win the set 27-25 to level the match at 1-1.

The third set was again tightly contested, with a single point making the difference as the lead kept changing hands.

La Digue made it 16-15, only to see Anse Royale scoring again to level matters (16-16).

With more determination and less mistakes, La Digue managed to chip in two more points to win the set 18-16 and the match 2-1 to take home the title.

The boys’ final was a one-sided affair as Anse Royale displayed a superior style of play with a better line-up than their inner-island opponents.

Anse Royale easily won the first set 25-14.

In the second set, however, Praslin came out a bit stronger, despite allowing Anse Royale to take an early 13-4 lead.

The Praslin side threw caution to the wind as they fought back, closing the gap to 13-12, before levelling the score at 14 points apiece.

This was the closest they could reach as Anse Royale shift to stronger gear, leaving their opponents behind with a 23-17 lead. Praslin were not ready to give up yet as they kept fighting, closing the gap at 24-21.

It was already too late as Anse Royale needed a single point, which they scored to end the set 25-21.

Pointe Larue finished third overall in the boys’ group after their walk-over victory over Perseverance, while English River were third in the girls’ group after their 2-1 win over Pointe Larue in the third-place match.

R. D.