Inter Regionals Championships review (23rd to 25th May) - South West deny London a clean sweep

But they were denied a clean sweep of titles by the South West, who came up trumps in the Boys’ U15, the same category that also eluded them last year, when North West triumphed. 

Four venues were used across the three days of competition – the Netball Centre on all three days, the Sir David Wallace Building on Sunday and Monday and New Victory Hall and the Parkin Sports Centre, Loughborough Grammar School on Saturday.  

The teams were divided into two pools of five teams in each age group (U15 and U17), with the girls’ half of the competition played across Saturday and the first half of Sunday and the boys’ the second half of Sunday and Monday. 

Both the London girls teams remained unbeaten throughout their respective tournaments as the collective might of the clubs in the capital came to the fore. 

The U15 girls, however, were pushed mightily hard in their Pool A match by the North West, eventually taking it 15-13 in the third after those in green had mounted a strong fightback to win the second set 21-15, having lost the first 21-18. 

North West were too strong for their remaining opponents to clinch second spot and book their place in the semi-finals, with East third followed by East Midlands and Wales. 

In Pool B, it was South West who proved the dominant, unbeaten force, but there was a big scrap for the other semi spot behind them, with three teams on two victories and two defeats each. 

In the end, it was West Midlands who sneaked in on set difference (5) ahead of South West and Yorkshire (4), who had a points difference of 22 compared to minus 4 in deciding third and fourth, as the North East were fifth. 

Both semi-finals were decided in straight sets, with the expected outcomes given the groups – London overcoming the West Midlands 21-11, 21-15 and South East too strong for North West (21-11, 21-15). 

It set up and eagerly-awaited final where after a tight first set (21-18), London powered away in the second (21-12) to spark the celebrations. 

The North West picked themselves up from the disappointment of losing in the semis to defeat the West Midlands 21-19, 21-16 and seal the bronze medal. 

After the series of play-off matches, East finished fifth, South West sixth, East Midlands seventh, Yorkshire eighth, Wales ninth and North East 10th. 

London’s U17 girls’ side had a smoother progression out of their pool, not dropping a set and racking up a set difference of +78 in Pool A. 

North West recovered from a difficult start against the capital region to post victories against East, South West and East Midlands – who finished in that order – booking their semi-final spot in the process. 

Yorkshire, meanwhile, were just as impressive in topping Pool B with four wins from four, as the West Midlands, South, East, Wales and North East felt the power of their attack. 

The West Midlands edged a vital three-setter against South East to finish just above them and also make the last four. 

In the semi-finals, London were quickly out of the traps, helping them to a 21-17, 21-15 triumph. 

Yorkshire had to work much harder for their final place against the North West going the distance before pulling through in three. 

Whether that took something out of the side from the north for the final is hard to say, but London’ excellent defence and organisation ensured they ran out worthy winners (21-17, 21-15) to lift the trophy. 

North West were confident winners in the bronze medal match, getting the better of West Midlands by a comfortable 21-13, 21-18 scoreline. 

East were fifth, South East were sixth, South West were seventh, Wales eighth, North East ninth and East Midlands 10th. 

Pool A of the U17 Boys category was fiercely contested, with every team taking and dropping at least three sets. 

After a straight sets win over East Midlands, London needed three sets to beat their next three opponents, but nevertheless emerged unscathed with four wins from four. 

Behind them, the South West did not let a 15-13 decider defeat to London deter them and they roared back to claim second place in the group and a place in the semi-finals. 

Their 21-14, 22-20 triumph over South East proved to be important in them pushing out their opponents into third, while East Midlands were fourth and North East fifth. 

North West, powered by a strong contingent from the National title-winning Urmston Grammar side, headed up Pool B but they were made to work for it, particularly in their final two matches as they were taken to three by both Yorkshire who finished third and Wales, who were fifth. 

West Midlands beat East to decide third and fourth in the pool. 

In the semi-finals, London cruised through the first set but were trailing for much of the second against Yorkshire before turning it around to run out straight sets victors (21-12, 21-17). 

South West, meanwhile, held their nerve to also progress – much to their obvious delight – at the hands of North West, where edging a tight first set proved vital (21-19, 21-17) 

But despite fighting hard, especially in a tight second set that could have gone either way, they could not quite match the precision and teamwork of London in the final, with those in red, white and blue winning out 25-12, 25-19. 

The bronze medal match saw North West rediscover their mojo to secure third with a comfortable straight sets win over Yorkshire (21-13, 21-15).  

South East finished fifth, West Midlands sixth, East seventh, East Midlands eighth, North East ninth and Wales 10th in the overall standings. 

London had two sides entered into the Boys’ U15 section, with varying results. 

London A topped Pool A, surviving a three-setter against the West Midlands, who finished third, to lead the way with four wins from four. 

The North West took the other semi-final place thanks to their pivotal 22-20, 21-18 success over West Mids, with Wales in fourth and East in fifth. 

In contrast, London B finished fifth in Pool B, where South West proved to be top dogs in amassing a points difference of +70. 

While Yorkshire were beaten in straight sets by them, they did recover well to prevail in their other three encounters to reach the semis. South East were third and East Midlands fourth. 

In the semi-finals, London coasted to victory over Yorkshire, 21-8, 21-13, as they really found their groove. 

South West, meanwhile, were pushed to the limit before coming back from a set down and making it through by a two-point margin amid the rising tension (16-21, 21-15, 15-13). 

A hard-fought final was always in prospect and it did not disappoint, but it was South West who held the edge in the key moments to make sure of an excellent victory (21-17, 21-17). 

Again, like the U17 bronze medal match, North West got the better of Yorkshire, this time by a 21-15, 21-14 margin. 

West Midlands finished fifth, South East sixth, Wales seventh, East Midlands eighth, East ninth and London B 10th. 

Volleyball England would like to thank all the coaches, referees, volunteers, supporters, staff and, of course, the players for making the Bank Holiday weekend a success.

Don't forget you can watch all the matches back on the Volleyball England YouTube Channel. A full set of images will be released later in the week.

Images by Shathusan Mathiyalagan, Richard Beales, and Jonathan Chan.