Sitting Grand Prix 5 review - Bucks remain team to beat

In Tier 1, Sitting Bucks once again demonstrated their strength, securing three victories and confirming their status as one of the top teams in the competition. They opened with a commanding 2-0 win over Nottingham Casualties (25-15, 25-12) before edging past Salisbury Spitfires (21-25, 25-22) in a closely contested match. 

Their final game against South Hants tested their resilience, but a 2-1 win (23-25, 25-23, 15-5) ensured a perfect weekend. 

With momentum on their side, Bucks will now shift focus to their upcoming competition in Lyon, where they will compete against international opposition in the ParaVolley Europe Silver League.

Salisbury Spitfires also impressed, securing victories against South Hants (25-18, 25-18) and Nottingham Casualties (25-21, 21-25, 15-3) to solidify their place in the Final 4. 

South Hants responded well to their opening loss, producing a hard-fought 2-1 win over Nottingham Casualties (17-25, 26-24, 15-10), demonstrating their ability to respond under pressure.

For Nottingham Casualties, this Grand Prix marked the end of their time in Tier 1, as they were unable to secure a victory. 

Their promotion in January showed their ability to compete at a higher level, but the challenges of the top tier proved difficult to overcome.

In Tier 2, Help for Heroes emerged as the standout team, winning four of their five matches to earn promotion to Tier 1. A crucial 2-0 victory over Lincoln Imps (26-16, 25-10) underlined their strength and consistency throughout the competition. 

Their ability to maintain control in key moments set them apart, and they will now look to carry that momentum into the next stage with a chance at playing in the Cup Finals in April.

Lincoln Imps also delivered a strong performance, finishing second in the group with multiple victories over Panthers, including a dominant 25-8, 25-10 result. 

Taking the first match against Help For Heroes they looked on course to return to Tier 1 but sadly couldn’t keep that momentum going through out the day falling just short and dropping a set to Panthers. 

Panthers, meanwhile, found it difficult to break through, facing tough opposition across all their matches. While they could not secure a win, but the experience gained will be valuable as they continue to develop and aim for places in Europe.

With this phase of the competition now complete, attention turns to the next Grand Prix in March, which will determine the finalists for the Cup at the end of April. Sitting Bucks, Salisbury Spitfires, South Hants, and re-promoted Help for Heroes will compete for a place in the final, with each team looking to secure their position among the best in the league.