U18 Super Series round one review (3rd and 4th October) - Urmston and Boswells off to a flyer

Both were coming off the back of success last season, with Urmston well stocked with precocious talent having won last year's U16 and U15 Cup Finals, while the Essex team are defending the crown they won in April. 

Boys' competition 

The boys matches came first on Saturday and, as last year's champions, Leeds Gorse were seeded number one, being drawn against AST Barnet. 

Things started well for the West Yorkshire side as they clinched a straight sets victory (25-21, 25-15) - and the other three top four seeds were also first fixture victors in two. 

Number two seeds Richmond Falcons were too strong for Future Stars (25-16, 25-14), Urmston Grammar, number three seeds, signalled their intent by getting the better of Newcastle Staffs (27-25, 25-11) while number four seeds The Boswells School beat Stockport Blue (25-15, 25-15), who had been a late replacement for Deep Dish Crystal Palace. 

In the second set of matches featuring the first game winners, both proved to be intriguing and hard-fought encounters. 

Leeds dropped the first set against Boswells, but powered back to win in three (21-25, 25-11, 15-13), while Urmston were pushed hard by Richmond, but always had the edge (25-21, 25-22). 

The first round loser matches were far more clear cut, with Staffs always in control against Future Stars (25-21, 25-17) and Stockport edging to an important success against AST (25-23, 25-21). 

The gold match between Leeds and Urmston was as close as it was thrilling with both sides enjoying their moments in the ascendency before the North West side stood firm when it came to the crunch (25-15, 23-25, 15-11). 

And despite winning in straight sets, Richmond's bronze match triumph over old rivals Boswells could hardly have been closer (26-24, 25-23). 

Just as tight were matches to decide fifth to eighth, with both encounters going the distance. 

Stockport Blue held their nerve in the decider after trading sets against Newcastle Staffs (25-15, 23-25, 15-7) as AST came back from a set down to come up trumps against Future Stars (15-25, 25-20, 15-10) in the battle of the already-relegated sides. 

The final Grand Prix points tallies per team were Urmston (40), Leeds Gorse (39), Richmond (38), Boswells (37), Stockport (36), Newcastle Staffs (35), Ast Barnet (34) and Future Stars (33). 

Girls' competition 

It was business as usual for The Boswells School at this most senior of junior age groups, starting the season as they mean to go on. 

The number one seeds brushed aside Richmond B in their first match of the day, cruising to 25-17, 25-10 success where they showed few signs of rustiness. 

Number two seeds Leeds Gorse also stormed to victory, getting the better of a South Bucks team that contained a number of the players who reached last year's U16 Cup Final by a 25-18, 25-14 margin. 

But number three seeds Richmond A were not so fortunate and they came a cropper against Urmston Grammar, who started solidly to overcome the Londoners 25-20, 25-15. 

Things were more straightforward for fourth seeds Malory Eagles who showed their superiority in bringing down Newcastle Staffs 25-16, 25-22. 

Boswells suffered a slight wobble at the start of the first of the winners' matches as they fell 6-0 behind in the first set of their match with Malory Eagles. 

But Darren Lewis' side rallied superbly to dig out the first set and then go on to add the second (25-17, 25-18). 

Leeds also triumphed in straight sets, though they were pushed hard by Urmston towards the conclusion of their meeting (25-17, 25-23). 

The losers' matches saw a ding-dong encounter between Richmond B and Castle before the former eventually claimed victory in three (25-17, 23-25, 15-13). 

There were no such problems for Richmond A against South Bucks, always keeping their opponents at arm's length, coming through 25-20, 25-19. 

An interesting contrast of styles saw Boswells take on Leeds in the gold match, but it was the school side who had all the right answers to run out 25-17, 25-19 victors. 

Ursmton looked to be in control of their bronze match with Malory as they led by a set and had a good lead in the second, only to cede it to the Eagles. 

However, the Blue and Yellows regathered and were dominant in the tie break set to prevail 27-25, 21-25, 15-6. 

In the battle of the Richmond sides, A beat B to secure fifth place on the day, securing a 25-19, 25-11 success. 

And South Bucks could draw some solace by winning the game between the two sides relegated for the next Super Series, seeing off Newcastle Staffs in a decider after losing the first set (26-25, 25-21, 15-10). 

The results saw the Grand Prix points handed out as The Boswells School (40), Leeds Gorse (39), Urmston Grammar (38), Malory Eagles (37), Richmond A (36), Richmond B (35), South Bucks (34) and Newcastle Staffs (33).

Images by Sky Park

Don't forget to tune into the draw for the November Super Series live on the Volleyball England YouTube Channel this Wednesday (7th October) at 4pm.