Round-up: National Cup Preliminary Round

In the men’s section, there were straight sets victories for Oxford (over Northampton), Wigan Seahawks (over Preston Panthers B), Kent Invicta (over near-neighbours Maidstone Rocks), Worthing (over Urbond Portsmouth), the Army (over Wombourne 2), Team Sideout (over London Bears 2), SQUAD (over Tonbridge) and GNG Bedford Men (over Tendring). 

A number of other matches went the full five sets, including a Manchester derby between Manchester Marvels Marauders and Manchester Moss Side, which saw the former emerge 27-25, 22-25, 25-17, 23-25, 15-12 victors. 

Capital rivals London Wildcats and London Bears also went the distance, with the home side eventually running out 20-25, 25-19, 25-16, 15-25, 15-9 winners. 

Another pulsating encounter saw Preston Panthers edge out Volleyball Isle of Man 15-13 in the final set, after scorelines of 18-25, 26-24, 17-25, 25-23 in the other four sets. 

Hertfordshire clubs Kings Langley and Watford contested a monster of a second set, which the hosts won 30-28, only for their visitors to come back and clinch the decider by a 15-13 margin. 

Barnsley fought back from 2-1 down to win 3-2 against Marske Phoenix with scores of 22-25, 25-14, 13-25, 25-15, 12-12 underlining the toing and froing mature of the match. 

Matches in the women’s section were no less exciting. 

Manchester Liberators made the short trip to Preston Panthers and ran out 3-1 victors, with a 25-4 second set scoreline the highlight of their afternoon’s work. 

London Bears also progressed to the first round with a 3-1 win at Reading Aces. 

Four teams progressed with straight sets wins – SQUAD (over Tonbridge), Manchester Moss Side Jaguars (over Wigan Seahawks), Cheltenham and Gloucester (over Wombourne) and Waterloo Thunder (over Maidstone Diamonds). Manchester’s game included an incredible second set, which they dug deep to win 32-30. 

Results of all matches can be viewed by clicking here.

First round National Cup matches for men and women will be played over the weekend of Saturday 23rd September and Sunday 24th September. 

If you have any photos or videos from this weekend's matches we would love to see them! Please scan the QR code below to send over via WhatsApp. 

Pictures from this weekend's action are below.