Cup Finals review day two - Malory defeat SideOut to clinch seasonal double

It ended a long wait for the club to win English volleyball’s most prestigious knock-out competition – which has lasted almost two decades – and was the ninth time the club’s women have lifted the winners’ trophy. 

The Eagles were inspired by an MVP performance from England international Georgia McGovern who has taken the side’s offense to another level since joining just after the turn of the year. 

Her pinpoint setting skills helped to unlock the powerful attacks of the likes of Grace Lazard and captain Chloe Allen and ultimately proved too much for a Polonia side who battled valiantly to defend the title they won last year against Durham Palatinates. 

Malory Head Coach Jefferson Williams said of the 25-15, 26-24, 25-22 victory: “It’s been a long wait, longer than you realise. We’ve been to a few finals, but never quite got the win, so it’s nice to do it this time. 

McGovern added: “This team feels like a family. I think we all deserve this win, and the history of the club deserves this win. I’m very happy for our coaches. 

“They make it so easy for me (as a setter). We have firepower across the whole net and teams know that every one of our players is a threat.” 

The day’s first winners were The Boswells School, who successfully defended the Girls’ Under 18 title they won against Richmond last year. 

This time their final opponents were Leeds Gorse, who put up a sterling challenge throughout the match. 

However, it was, perhaps, Boswells experienced that enabled them to get the job done, particularly in a topsy-turvy second set, which enabled them to run out 25-19, 25-18, 25-21 victors. 

MVP for the victors was setter Yasmin Baptiste. 

On court 2 at the same time, Urmston Grammar doubled up as they overcame a Richmond side for the second time in the weekend. 

Following on from their U16 triumph yesterday (Saturday), the U15 team followed suit, but were made to work harder. 

After taking the first set, Urmston were then pegged back by the Londoners, who quickly levelled up. 

But the Greater Manchester side edged a key third set and then closed out the match in the fourth (25-20, 18-25, 25-23, 25-20). 

Urmston’s Emeka Uzoka was named MVP.

 But a hat-trick of titles was not to be for the club as they were beaten by Leeds Gorse in the U18 age group in the last match of the day to finish. 

The Yorkshire club came through 25-17, 16-25, 25-18, 25-20 to cap a remarkable transformation in fortunes for the team, having been relegated from the Super Series earlier in the season. 

Emmanuel Oretoye was selected as MVP for the victors. 

Just before that, Richmond won their first title of the weekend in the last round of matches as they proved too strong for first-time finalists Wapping Wildcats. 

In what was a commanding performance, they prevailed by a 25-14, 25-13, 25-16 margin, with Fien Verheyden chosen as MVP. 

Volleyball England would like to take this opportunity to thank all the players, coaches, officials, volunteers and spectators for making the weekend one to remember.   

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You can watch all the matches back on the Volleyball England YouTube Channel and find more content on social media, following #CupFinals25.