Bin Sagar Group hold out for win

Abu Dhabi: Bin Sagar Group, Abu Dhabi staved off a strong challenge from Sharjah's Floral Trading before they scored a 3-1 win and booked a last four berth in the Kerala Social Centre's 12th Jimmy George Memorial Ramadan Volleyball tournament on Friday night.

Bin Sagar won 25-21, 16-25, 25-18 and 25-22 and with that slammed the door on the Sharjah team's chances.

It was their second successive defeat for Floral Trading which meant both Bin Sagar and the other team in the group, Al Dobowi Tyres, make the last four.

The two teams meet tonight to dispute the group leadership.

Shamji K. Thomas, Abhilash Waynad, Abdul Shaji and Ajith Kumar thrilled the packed courts with a classy display for Bin Sagar.

However, K. Sunil, Yousef Mohammad and B. Manu also played well for Floral Trading and both teams were level one set apiece.

Bin Sagar looked to have the edge with their allround play and won the third set at 25-18 but the Sharjah side did not throw in the towel.

They managed to forge an effective combination in the fourth. Both sides kept exchanging the lead and every point was cheered by the packed KSC courts which had an equal number of people turned away due to lack of space.

However, Bin Sagar won the set narrowly at 25-22 to clinch the tie. But K. Sunil of Floral Trading received a standing ovation after he was named best player for the second time in two losses.

In another match Geo Electricals of Sharjah gained sweet revenge over Sumiya Marines of Dubai to keep their semifinal hopes alive. The two teams had met on Thursday night in the ISC-Al Fara'a tournament in Al Ain with Sumiya winning the game 3-1.

On Friday night the roles were reversed and Geo Electricals won 21-25, 25-18,15-23 and 25-23.

Sumiya Marines have completed their engagements with a win and a loss while Geo Electricals meet the winless Dubai Duty Free next.