Yuan a bargain?
Day 9
Saturday, 16 March
Our intrepid tour group braved one of Beijing’s most popular markets to test our negotiating skills and pick up some amazing Chinese antiques of all shapes and sizes.
The best bargainers were able to pick up ceramic, stone and wooden sculptures for a fraction of the first quoted price with limited use of Chinese, while others relied on the local knowledge of coach Mrs Shen to score hand-crafted trinkets.
We had been promised Peking duck since arriving in China and Mark led us to a popular restaurant chain Quanjude. The succulent duck, among the priciest in Beijing at 168 yuan each, was the best many of us had ever tasted.
The next stop was another privilege we had been granted, a visit to the Olympic volleyball stadium still under construction at the Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT).
Group photos ensued and the hospitable BIT staff also gave us an overview of the university and their desire to form partnerships with our universities.
The team we were set to face that night comprised retired professional players, who continue to hone their skills in social competition at the Hanma Volleyball Club.
Once again the group had enough players for two teams and the Blues gained some useful insights into the playing style of older Chinese teams.
MATCH REPORT
Uni Blues A 3 Hanma A 0
Uni Blues B 2 Hanma B 1
Blues A started the game with force, capitalising on the opposition’s slower pace. Nick Lemalu, Paul Deweerd and Chris Lyne held a tight line at the net, backed up by experienced setter Chris Giacomi. The Blues communicated well and staved off some slid Hanma attack to hold an early lead and take the first set 25-17.
Watched on by a framed photo of their beloved Chairman Mao, the Hanma players found some gaps in the Blues’ defence with some fast tips. Paul Grimmett provided handy sets for his tall teammates Matt Campbell and Kyle Griffith. A superb rally with big hits from both sides, finished by Campbell’s huge spike, gave the Blues the second 25-21.
Youth was unexpectedly on the Blues side this time as the masters’ opposition appeared to tire in the third. Deweerd and Giacomi combined well to block strong attacks and stretch the Hanma defence to the limit. Tom Hals subbed in to give the side fresh legs and the Blues held the lead to take the third 25-18.
Tom Hals kicked off a strong Blues B attack in the first with big hits to the outside edges. Blockers Gavin Penny and Michael Luber were inspiring in defence and Chris O’Keefe made strong outside hits. The older opposition took time to adjust to the Blues different playing style, giving the away team some easy points to grab the set 25-20.
The Blues lost some early points in the second with hurried play but recovered to dominate for the rest of the set. Hanma had no answer for the Blues hard hitting, allowing us to take the second 25-11.
The opposition showed more promise in the third despite Hals’ swinging serves and big blocks by Penny and Aaron Krahe. Hanma held a tight lead for most of the set and eventually pulled away to win the third 25-20.
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