U18 Grand Prix 2 review – Stockport, Willesden, Wessex and Bucks earn promotions

A total of 55 boys’ teams were in action across 15 pools, while 44 girls’ teams played in 12 pools, with both featuring matches all around the country. 

Matches in the boys’ section were played on Saturday (9th November) with Gold Pool A, played at Black Country, dominated by Stockport. 

The Greater Manchester side won all three matches in topping the pool, but they were pushed hard by Sheffield, having to fight back from a set down to eventually clinch victory (19-25, 25-8, 15-8). 

Behind them, IBB Polonia finished in second spot after beating both the South Yorkshire team (who were third) and Black Country (fourth) in straight sets.  

Willesden’s route back to the Super Series was far less simple as they found themselves tied on points at the top with South Hants in Gold Pool B. 

Both teams won two and lost one of their matches, but it was the former, playing on their home court, who clinched top spot on the back of a superior set difference (two as opposed to one). 

Richmond B took third place in the pool after their win over the Titans, despite suffering a three-set by Deep Dish Crystal Palace, who finished below them. 

Silver Pool C was played in Wapping, where it could hardly have been closer between three teams. 

All of London Lynx Selby, Wapping Wildcats A and Dulwich had two wins and one defeat to their name and all had a set difference of two. 

It came down to who had the best points difference and those respectively came in at 25, seven and one to decide the placings in that order. 

Winless Dartford finished bottom of the pool but were competitive in their matches and lost by just two points in both sets against Dulwich. 

It was more clear cut in Coventry for Silver Pool D, where Nottingham Rockets triumphed in all three matches, dropping only one set in the process. 

Cherwell took second after winning their other two matches while Frodsham were third after sealing a three-set success over Coventry and Warwick Riga. 

The three-team Bronze Pool E was contested at the NVC in Kettering as Richmond C took top spot with straight sets successes over Taunton and Worthing Panthers, who respectively finished second and third behind them after the South West side won their encounter in three sets (26-24, 18-25, 15-12). 

Hermitage topped Bronze Pool F with a 100 per cent record, but they were made to work for that spot. 

They had to come back from a set down against second place Ashfield Vipers (21-25, 27-25, 15-12) and Darkstar Derbyshire (23-25, 25-23, 19-17), who finished fourth, while hosts Nottingham Rockets claimed third place. 

In National 2 Pool G, hosts Weymouth topped the standings, while MK City A headed up National 2 Pool, played at the NVC in Kettering, on set difference. 

Leeds Gorse Purple won three out of three to top National 2 Pool I and Newcastle Staffs B did likewise in National 2 Pool I, with both sides making the most of home advantage.

National 3 Pool K was contested in Farnborough and saw Wessex at the summit in not dropping a set while, further north, hosts Manchester Marvels won National 3 Pool L. 

Bromsgrove School won National 3 Pool N on set difference and, in contrast, Team Medway clinched National 3 Pool O with victory in all their matches. 

In the girls’ section, played on Sunday (10th November), Wessex A’s success means they will play in the Super Series for the first time for the next Grand Prix after heading up Gold Pool A. 

They put in assured performances to beat both hosts Willesden Divets (25-22, 25-20) and Weymouth Ripples (25-20, 25-15), who were second and third in the final placings respectively. 

Newcastle Staffs hosted Gold Pool B, where South Bucks were in imperious form as they won all three matches without dropping a set to make sure of going up. 

Ashfield Vipers claimed second spot by beating Newcastle Staffs A (third) and Urmston Grammar B (fourth), the former in three sets (15-25, 25-19, 15-8). 

Silver Pool C, held at Coventry, saw Sheffield defeat all comers on the way to topping the group. 

Their key victory came over second placed Richmond B (25-18, 25-18), with the Londoners winning their other two matches against Manchester Marvels and Coventry and Warwick Riga. 

London Lynx had too much for their Silver Pool D rivals as they won in straight sets against Worthing Lions, Richmond C and hosts Ashcombe Dorking, who finished behind them in that order. 

Host club Wirral A came through two tough three setters to lead the way in Bronze Pool E, which included an excellent win over MK City A, who had proved too strong for third placed Nuneaton and fourth-placed Urmston Grammar. 

Bronze Pool F saw Wessex B come out on top with a 100 per cent record, as South Hants finished as runners-up, followed by Wapping Wildcats and Dartford. 

Dulwich ran out winners of the three-strong National 2 Pool G, played at MK City, while Leeds Gorse Purple were a dominant force in National 2 Pool H, hosted by Lincoln Cannons. 

Five teams competed in National 2 Pool I at South Hants, where Bristol just had the edge over South Bucks B on points difference, while Bromsgrove School lead the way in National 2 Pool J, seeing off the challenges of Telford and hosts Frodsham. 

London Giants capitalised on home court advantage to win National 2 Pool K and Stockport took top honours in the Wirral-hosted National 2 Pool L. 

Volleyball England would like to thank all hosting clubs for putting on Grand Prix fixtures. 

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