Malory Eagles made a solid start to the new season with a 3-1 win at London rivals Lynx on Saturday.

Captain and setter Richard Dobell (ex-international) started along with GB international Yassir Sliti hitting opposite, Mark Brown and ex-international Alex Bialokoz middle blocking, new signing Luciano Pinter and Darius Setsoafia hitting outside and Yoshi Hori playing libero (the defensive specialist).

Fast attacks from man-of-the-match Punter and the searing power of 6ft 6in Sliti allowed Malory to establish a lead against a tenacious Lynx team and edge out the first set 25-20.

Coach Jefferson Williams stayed with this team for the second set which Lynx made more competitive with some spirited defensive play.

Andy Omoshebi was substituted on to replace middle blocker Bialokoz as Williams tried to maintain Malory’s margin. Lynx got close but Malory again closed out the set 25-22.

Malory changed its mix for the third set, bringing on new signing Ashley Trodden as setter and Brazillian Dankielson Westphal to middle block.

The set was again tight, with both teams trading fast middle attacks and big back-court combinations. Malory’s concentration slipped allowing Lynx to steal the set 25-21.

Williams reverted back to his starting six for the fourth set with Alex returning to the middle and Dobell returning as setter.

Dobell used his experience to settle and stabilize the team, which crept ahead and pushed on to win the set 25-20 and the match by three sets to one.

An on-court collision saw Pinter suffer a sore chin and Brown receive a glued head wound.

Fortunately, both players are recovering well.