Sitting Grand Prix Review - Bucks and Heroes claim Cup Finals places

Dominating every Grand Prix event this season, Sitting Bucks entered the Final 4 with momentum on their side, aiming for a golden ticket and their third consecutive title. Their closest rivals, South Hants, last year’s runners-up, arrived at the weekend hoping to overcome recent struggles and reach the final once again.

The tournament began with an emotional tribute to Kat Hawkins, who sadly passed away the previous week. Some of her teammates honored her memory by wearing black armbands bearing her name.

Bucks set the tone early, securing a 2-0 (25-17, 25-18) win over South Hants, putting them in prime position for yet another final appearance. They followed this up with another 2-0 victory against Help for Heroes, though they had to battle for every point. Help for Heroes kept the first set close before Bucks edged it 25-21, followed by a 25-19 second set.

In their final match of the Grand Prix, Bucks faced Spitfires—a team yet to take a set off them all season. That trend continued as Bucks completed a dominant weekend with a commanding 2-0 (25-14, 25-18) win, securing their third straight Final appearance.

Help for Heroes Fight Their Way to the Finals

Help for Heroes entered the Final 4 with the confidence of recent promotion from Tier 2, but their journey began with a setback. Spitfires snatched the first set 25-22, but Heroes fought back to claim a thrilling 25-21 second set and an intense 17-15 decider.

Their challenge became even tougher after a 2-0 loss to Bucks, meaning they had to win their remaining matches and hope for other results to go their way. Rising to the occasion, they produced a strong performance against South Hants, winning 2-0 and securing their place in their second final in three years after Spitfires fell to Bucks in their last match of the day.

For South Hants, a challenging season ended with a bottom-of-the-table finish, as they struggled with player availability and consistency. However, their strong performances throughout the year suggest they will be in a good position heading into the 2025/26 season.

Exciting Action in Tier 2

Alongside the Final 4, Tier 2 provided its own thrilling moments as Nottingham Casualties faced Lincoln Imps, Help for Heroes B, and Panthers.

Casualties kicked off their day with a hard-fought win over Help for Heroes B in a back-and-forth match. Heroes took the opening set 25-18, but Casualties responded with a 25-16 second set before clinching the decider 15-13.

With momentum on their side, Casualties carried their strong form into a comfortable 2-0 victory over Panthers. The all-female Panthers side, hopeful of claiming sets as they had in previous rounds, fell short again against Lincoln Imps in another 2-0 defeat.

Panthers’ tough weekend continued in their final match against Help for Heroes B, where they lost 2-0 (25-6, 25-16). However, Heroes B bounced back from their earlier loss to Casualties with another three-set battle—this time, emerging victorious. Imps claimed the second set, but Heroes bookended the match with two strong sets, sealing the win with a 15-9 final set score.

Lincoln Imps ended Nottingham’s momentum with a 2-0 victory of their own, closing their season on a high note. Meanwhile, Help for Heroes B rounded out the Tier 2 competition with a 2-0 win over Panthers. Despite finishing at the bottom, the GB contingent showed promising growth and will now shift focus toward their European ambitions.

With the Final 4 concluded, Sitting Bucks and Help for Heroes now turn their attention to the National Cup Finals, where they will battle for ultimate glory.