AFTER their third weekend acclimatising in the National League Division 2, Solent's men are showing they deserved their promotion.
Last weekend, they saw off the established City of Salford 3-0 and followed it up with a 3-1 defeat of fellow promoted side Haugton to leave them with a record of played four, won three.
Having added media company SGTV to their list of sponsors and looking resplendent in new kit, the south coast side started enthusiastically against Salford at Sholing Technical College.
Due to injuries, coach Matt Cordrey-Gale called in ex-Solent player Darren Sampson to bolster the attack.
The first set was a tight affair but, thanks to good serving by Neal Pattenden and the leadership qualities of Simon Trueick, Solent took it 25-21.
It was a similar story in the second with errors again pegging Solent back. But James Kemp hammered three jump serves to level at 24-24 and, with libero Nial Hoffland outstanding in defence, they won through 28-26.
The third set was easy in comparison with Solent steaming home 25-14 in just 18 minutes.
Hitter Nik Hardy returned to the ranks against Haughton, who sneaked the first set 25-21.
The visitors were still on top in the second until Solent won eight straight points on Tim Nash's serve, setting them up for a 25-21 win.
Hardy shone with some unstoppable attacks as Cordrey-Gales's men cruised the third and fourth sets 25-19, 25-21, earning him the man-of-the-match vote from both teams.
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