Harrogate Goats vs Barnsley

Sept 17th 2025 saw us opening our season with a trip to Barnsley. After a cosy drive where we squeezed the majority of the team into one car we arrived at the court with some time to spare. Our team consisted of 6 players (no subs tonight) including 2 new players to the club and a new position for another player. After a warm up we lined up with the following:

Sam Waters (setter and Captain)

Harry Gough (Opposite *new position)

Shane Kelly (Middle Blocker)

Luke Norcliffe (Middle Blocker *New player)

Harry Virr (Outside)

Vineeth Nagaraj (Outside *New player)

Set 1 Barnsley 25 – 18 Harrogate. Harrogate started the game serving and managed to play very well. With the new players just getting to grips with rotation and match play and the teamwork not quite performing to what we know. Barnsley however produced what we knew we would face with great consistency and making very few mistakes even getting some big hits in from the start. Harrogate managed to stay in the game but our serve game was not working and Barnsley’s consistency was paying off and they slowly pulled away to win the set.

Set 2 Barnsley 25 – 23 Harrogate. Harrogate regrouped and stepped up their game for the second set. The serve mistakes had gone and the players were fired up and were confident in their roles on the court which showed in the game. Harrogate exchanged points with Barnsley until in the middle of the set Barnsley got a run of 5 points which would prove to be to much for us to make back before the set ended. After the run of points Harrogate stepped up and chased down the points blocking well and picking up any shots that did get through.

Set 3 Barnsley 26 – 23 Harrogate. Harrogate started this set the wrong way with fatigue looking to of got the better of the team (no subs available) and the team not moving and losing points without a fight. After a big hit Harrogate managed to get the pick up and somehow return the ball to win the point. This was the moment the team needed and suddenly the team started to play as we know they could driving Barnsley back and taking the lead. Barnsley made some tactical changes and fought us all the way to the end of the set. Barnsley then made another tactical change to finish the set which proved to much for Harrogate to be able to hang on for a win and the game ended on a very hard jump serve.

MVP Harry Gough. Harry had an incredible performance tonight following his transition into a new position (opposite). Harry has had only 2 training session getting to know this position and how rotation works and the roles responsibilities and defensive positioning. Harry showed tonight how well he has listened and learned in training, his positioning and understanding of the position in such a short time proved vital. Harry had some great defensive moments picking up tips and hits and when the time came he had some big hits of his own. Harry played with a great attitude throughout and supported Sam when he was taken out of setting due to him picking up the ball

Overview - The team performed to a high level tonight and showed all the progression they have made over the last year. Every player left it all on the court last night and we couldn’t ask for more from any player. Unfortunately the win alluded us tonight but with no subs and new players this is a performance to be proud of and the rest of the season should be a fun one where we will challenge every team we play. 

Harrogate Goats v Barton blockers (Championship)

Sept 28th 2025 we lined up for our first home game of the season with the following:

Sam Waters (Setter and Captain)

Harry Gough (Opposite)

Shane Kelly (Middle)

Alfie Clegg (Middle)

Sam Dean (Outside)

Vineeth Nagaraj ( Outside)

Harry Virr (Outside)

Austin Thompson (Opposite)

Set 1 Harrogate 16 – 25 Barton Blockers. Harrogate started the set slow with players struggling to get a rhythm going and some strong serving from Barton got them a healthy gap by the middle of the set. As the set progressed the team started to pick up balls and put together some attacks which got us back into the game. Unfortunately the gap proved to much and Barton took the set.

Set 2 Harrogate 18 – 25 Barton Blockers. Harrogate made some changes with Austin and Harry V coming onto the court to mix things up. The team started a lot stronger in this set with some good passing and usage of the ball with Sam commanding the team and showing his growth in his role as captain. Bartons serving proving to be the distance and Harrogate’s inconsistence in serving proving a major hurdle, with Austin being the only player to not miss a serve all game. Barton took the set but the lads had some great rallys and pushed all the way.

Set 3 Harrogate 15 – 25 Barton Blockers. Sam and Harry G came back onto the court in this set and the lads started strong keeping up with Barton with both teams trading points. Unfortunately for Harrogate, Barton got some big hits and managed to pull away. The team then lost some composure and focus which gave Barton an easy run to the line which is a shame after the potential they had showed in earlier sets

MVP - Sam Waters. Sam arrived early, helped set up and then led the team through this entire match. Sam showed his ability to lead the team in his role as Captain which he has earned. Sam was vocal throughout the game and chased every ball down in order to try and set the ball or save a point. This is another great performance from Sam all round and he needs to keep pushing himself and working hard in training. If he keeps this up he has a very promising season ahead of him and has shown why we picked him as captain with this performance.

Overview: The team continue to progress with some great volleyball being played with consistency and communication being the parts still to work on. Our serving today let us down with a lot of serves not being to the standard we have come to expect from the team. The highlights were Sam showing his ability to captain the team and seemed to be everywhere on the court with some of his pick ups and sets. Harry continued to impress in his new position, Austin with his serves, Shane with his big blocks (unlucky for some to fall on the wrong side) and Alfie with his hits. We learn and move on with some clear things to work on in training to push us to the next level.  

Harrogate Goats V Bradford Uni (Champ) Match Report

Oct 5th 2025 saw us host Bradford UniAfter a warm up we lined up with the following:Sam Allat-Waters (Setter *Captain)Austin Thompson (Opposite)Arthur Rogers (Libero)Vineeth Nagaraj (Outside)Harry Virr (Outside)Alfie Clegg (Middle Blocker)Thomas Newdall (Outside)Shane Kelly (Middle Blocker)

Set 1 Harrogate 16 – 25 Bradford Uni. Harrogate stared well with Austin Serving and the ball in being on Sam allowing him to pick who he sets. Unfortunately, as the game progressed the ball in started to drop off and our attacking options started to dwindle. Bradford were consistent throughout the set and this would prove to be the difference.

Set 2 Harrogate 19 – 25 Bradford Uni. Harrogate continued to build on the first set with good pressure from serves and some great defensive work. Unfortunately Harrogate’s attack was not proving effective and allowed Bradford to build a gap. Sam did well to vary his sets and try some difficult attacks with Middles and opposite.

Set 3 Harrogate 21 – 25 Bradford Uni. The final set was unlucky to go to Bradford. Harry came back on after the second set and gave Harrogate the effective attack they had struggled with in the second. This then pushed the rest of the team to up their attacks and Harrogate led for most of the set. Unlucky for Harrogate a big enough gap wasn’t built and when we got to the crucial stage in the set Harrogate’s lack of consistency let us down and Bradford scored some big hits to take the lead and win.

Overview - The Champ team continue to show progression with no poor performance from anyone in the squad. Consistency is our biggest challenge and making sure our attack is effective at all times. Sam did great with his setting and was unlucky when asked to go for a hard jump serve to not score a point. Austin had some great passes and stepped in when Sam took the receive, Harry showed how much his attack has improved with some great attacks winning points.

MVP Alfie Clegg - Alfie did great throughout the game making some great blocks and big hits linking up well with the setter and always being available as an option. Alfie shows great potential and a great attitude in training, always listening and following instructions and try what is asked and this is now starting to pay off in game. He has potential for a great season ahead along with the rest of the champ team and their progression makes them a must watch.