Sitting Grand Prix 2 review (9th November) - Bucks remain team to beat as South Hants bounce back

An eventful day’s action on Saturday – which was streamed live on Volleyball England’s YouTube Channel – also saw South Hants control Tier 2 to reclaim their place in the top flight for December’s next edition in the series. 

Sitting Bucks opened the weekend with a commanding 2-0 win (25-5, 25-12) over Lincoln Imps, who were aiming to replicate their success from the season’s first Grand Prix. 

That victory was the first of two straight-set wins for Bucks, who also defeated Salisbury Spitfires. 

However, Help for Heroes A put up a tougher challenge, throwing the cat among the pigeons by taking the first set 25-19. 

Bucks, though, rallied to take the next two sets (25-16, 15-11), securing a critical 20 points in the standings and giving them 40 in total. 

Help for Heroes A, meanwhile remain close behind, with a total of 36 points. 

The Spitfires claimed third place in Tier 1, achieving a 2-0 win over Lincoln, which ultimately relegated the Imps back toTier 2 after their recent promotion. 

Help for Heroes A, fresh off a sstrong showing in the last Grand Prix, continued to show strength in Tier 1, claiming 2-0 victories over Salisbury and Lincoln. 

In Tier 2, with only three teams competing, each team faced one another twice. 

South Hants displayed renewed determination after suffering relegation, with consecutive 2-0 wins against Nottingham Casualties (25-19, 25-18) and Help for Heroes B (25-15, 25-15), securing their return to the top division. 

Nottingham Casualties – bronze medallists finish at the recent Sit Cup in Copenhagen – brought those valuable European experiences home with them, helping them deliver competitive performances.  

And although they fell to South Hants, Casualties claimed two victories over Help for Heroes B, showcasing resilience to win 25-13, 25-22 and 20-25, 25-21,15-12.  

The East Midlands club will be aiming for a return to the top tier after making it there last season.