Panda-monium at the zoo and on court
Day 7
Friday 14 March
The tallest and shortest members of our group, Michael Werner and Alice Giacomi, had already felt locals treated them like zoo animals with the constant staring and requests for photos so a trip to the Beijing Zoo seemed a good idea.
Giant pandas drew our attention when we first walked in the gate – there is no comparison in seeing these furry black and white mammals up close instead of on the National Geographic channel at home. The normally placid creatures also put on a show, one giving us some laughs by getting stuck upside down in a tree. Nobody ever said pandas were graceful.
While it was fascinating to see such a wide variety of animals from around the world, the harsh conditions and small cages for elephants, hippos and big cats disturbed some of our party. Serious animal lovers would be advised to be prepared for the worst or skip the visit altogether.
The local connections of our coach Mrs Shen helped secure a rare look inside the Olympic beach volleyball stadium, a 12,000 seat venue focused on a central beach court covered in 70,000 tonnes of sand at an exact 43cm deep.
A highlight was being able to hit a few balls on the same surface that will house some of the hottest action come August 8.
Our next game would be held at the Chao Yang Sports School, in an area that seems to have little foreign intrusion judging by the reaction of locals to our group.
The Blues hade been they would face a semi-professional team but along the line there must have been an error in translation, as the group, aged 13-17 years, was a junior development squad.
We had a date after the game with the Australian embassy, where staff gather each Friday for a pie and a few drinks.
We took over Matilda’s Bar, enjoying some pool, conversation with embassy staff and some quality meat pies. Our group also left a memento, University Blues t-shirt signed by the whole group.
A few players craving Western food stopped off at Pizza Hut on the way home.
MATCH REPORT
Uni Blues A 3 - Chao Yang A 0
Uni Blues B 3 - Chao Yang B 0
Chao Yang fielded enough players for two teams, allowing all Blues players to have court time.
Blues A had tougher opposition, one of the Chao Yang players topping 190cm at only 13 years old. The limited court experience of Chao Yang was a deciding factor as the Blues dominated above the net, Tommy Hals, Nick Lemalu and others easily hitting past a unprepared defence.
The Blues headed out to an early lead in the first set, winning 25-8.
Chao Yang made a more concerted effort in the second, their taller players getting some easy tips as the Blues defence slackened off. Chris Lyne and Gavin regrouped with strong hitting to help the team take the second set 25-12.
Aaron Krahe and setter Chris Giacomi were subbed in early in the third and made an immediate impact on the Blues intensity. Some sloppy mistakes and stronger hitting by the opposition let Chao Yang win easy points but the foreigners still took the set 25-14.
Blues B had a similar run of sets, blitzing the opposition in the first with superior passing and hitting. Age and experience showed early as Chao Yang struggled to put together combinations that would test the Blues. Jono Cannon and Chris Giacomi were damaging at the net, leading the Blues to a 25-8 first set.
A drop in Blues’ focus and intensity let Chao Yang back into the game early in the second and some sloppy play gave the home team a 10-12 lead. Chris O’Keefe and Jono hit strongly to retake the lead and better passing gave the Blues some quick points to take the set 25-12.
The Blues continued better form in the final set but Chao Yang also improved on hitting and passing, making the most of Blues’ mistakes for tight third set. The Blues’ power was still too much and the Victorian team won 25-16.
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