JEDDAH, 27 April 2007 — GCC champions Hilal had downed Al-Ahli to emerge champions in the Saudi Volleyball League earlier this month. Yet Hilal were thirsty for another title and yesterday they achieved it by winning the Saudi Volleyball Federation Cup.

The champions added yet another silverware to their showcase when they beat Ahli 3-1 in the finale at the Saudi Youth Welfare indoor stadium.

It looked like that Ahli would make a match of it when they rallied to take the second set at 25-22 to restore parity in the set scores at 1-1. Hilal had begun pugnaciously by winning the first at 25-20. But the Hilal spikers were not to be denied as they romped away with the next two sets 25-19 and 25-22 to snuff out any hopes Ahli had of making a fight of it.

Saudi Volleyball Federation (SVF) President Mohammed Mufti and SVF General Secretary Saleh ibn Mohammed Al-Qasim attended.

Archrivals Hilal and Ahli began with some deep services that were set up for the offense to spike or place. Ahli relied on the all round abilities to rack up the points, while Hilal were content to find their ace Ahmed Al-Bakheit to keep them within striking distance. The scores level-pegged at 8-8, 11-11 and 19-19, before a series of incisive smashes saw Hilal close out the set.

In the second, Ahli once again dominated but the teams were level on points at 2-2 and 6-6. At this juncture, Ahli spiker Ismael Al-Khaibary and Majid Al-Jihani, with some fine looping shots, gave Ahli the nudge ahead at 13-10. Mohammed Bakur, who replaced injured Ahli star Yahya Hanash, turned in a superb display, especially in this set. A late spurt sparked by some classic shots from Naif Al-Bou Hassoun brought Hilal back to 20-20. But Ahli sustained their power game to draw level on sets.

Hilal ruled the third, steadily widening the gap in points from 5-4 to 8-6, and from 14-8 to 21-15 before retaking the edge. Al-Bakheit resumed his attacking play in the fourth from the word go and with splendid support coming from Yassir Al-Makwni they sustained the pattern of the third set to go from 10-8, 15-13 to 25-22 to etch their name on the Cup.

To reach the final, Hilal beat Al-Safa 3-0, then Al-Nasr 3-0 and Al-Khuwailidiah 3-0. While Ahli defeated Al-Riyadh 3-0, beat Al-Khuwailidiah 3-0 and clipped Al-Nasr 3-1 to set up the showdown.

Hilal has won this championship 11 times while Ahli nine. Last year this competition was not held as the players had many other commitments.