Hutong tour, a well-orchestrated victory and farewell dinner

Day 11
Tuesday, 18 March

One of the highlights of any trip to China would be a trip on a traditional rickshaw or hutong and our tour guide Mark had an ideal morning planned. We would travel by hutong through back alleys of Beijing, in an area where movie stars such as Jackie Chan and Jet Li had lived, to a lunch in a local family’s home.

Mark and a fellow tour guide explained the meanings behind the stone dragons on a house doorstop and the Chinese characters above each house, which traditionally told passers-by the class status of family within. We ate in a middle-class family’s home and were treated exceptionally by our friendly hosts.

The next stop after lunch was a nearby multi-level market where we could once again hone our bartering skills. Cheap iPods, watches and handbags were easy to buy and players stocked on early birthday and Christmas presents.

The following bus trip was one of the most entertaining so far, particularly when our bus driver attempted to reverse into an impossibly small driveway. The driver put Melbourne city motorists to shame with his adept parking, though passing cyclists were lucky to keep all their limbs intact.

Our next game was against Qing Shan High School, a sports development school fostering the talents of many of Beijing’s elite athletes. The venue was a little disconcerting, mainly due to the cacophony produced by a youth orchestra tuning up next door in a hall separated by only a curtain. The noise affected the Blues’ concentration several times but added a surreal element to the match.

After the game, the group gathered at a fancy restaurant flanked by some of the tour’s sponsors for a formal dinner. We also paid tribute to tour organisers KC Chong, Rosemary Bissett, the absent Grace Zhao and Mason Zhang and coach Qi Shen. Mrs Shen would be staying on in Beijing with her family until after the Olympics and players were genuinely sad she would not be returning to Australia.
 

MATCH REPORT

Uni Blues 3 Qing Shan 0

Qing Shan’s players were all high-school age and showed their inexperience early, missing some clear hitting chances and mistiming their sets. Despite the flaws, they showed some great teamwork and kept the Blues on their toes. Chris Giacomi showed his depth in setting to easy hitting opportunities for Paul Deweerd, Chris Lyne and Kyle Griffith. Some lapses in concentration allowed Qing Shan to creep closer on the scoreboard and the Blues finished with a tight set win 25-23.

The Blues’ blocking was more disciplined in the next set and Qing Shan continued to make mistakes, losing three straight points for touching the net. The opposition used their two left-handed players to an advantage, sweeping big hits past the Blues’ blockers to keep scores tight. Giacomi set perfectly for Matt Campbell for a big spike to close out the set in the Blues favour 25-22.

Though Qing Shan made two libero changes in the third, the Blues picked up the pace and dominated at the net. One of Qing Shan’s best players took a tumble midway through the set and injured his left elbow, ruling him out for the game. The Blues decided to enjoy the rest of the set, backed by some impressive orchestral music, and cruised to a 25-17 victory.

Newly-engaged couple Michael and Nicole in a hutong

Chris Lyne (12) and Paul Grimmett (5) up against high-jumping Qing Shan blockers

A big jump serve by Tommy Hals as teammates look on