U16 Junior Grand Prix review (9th and 10th December)

A number of teams who are well-established at this level featured among the group winners, but there were also other more slightly unfamiliar names who outlined their abilities. 

South Bucks proved themselves to be the strongest team in the girls’ Gold Pool A with their 2-1 win over Richmond A proving to be the top spot decider. 

Tendring Tech College A were victors over hosts South Hants as those teams finished third and fourth respectively. 

Gold Pool B was contested at The Boswells School where the host team did not drop a set in coasting to top spot. 

Second-placed Ashfield Vipers proved too strong for AST Academy, who in turn were victors over Willesden Divets. 

Another host club prevailed in Gold Pool C as Urmston Grammar were straight sets winners in their three matches. 

Leeds Gorse Orange finished as runners-up, followed by Richmond B and Urmston Grammar B. 

Malory Eagles took pride of place in Silver Pool D, dropping just the one set in their pivotal clash with second-placed hosts Ashcombe. 

Wapping Wildcats saw off Richmond C in the battle for third and fourth spot. 

Silver Pool E brought together teams from far and wide, but it was hosts Hull Thunder who landed top spot, edging out Black Country A. 

Wessex travelled back to the South Coast with a win over Cardiff Celts, deciding the remainder of the table order. 

Bronze Pool F saw Westminster top the three-team grouping ahead of hosts Worthing Cheetahs with Deep Dish Crystal Palace third. 

It was a battle of the Newcastle Staffs teams in the three-team Bronze Pool G, with A getting the better of B for top spot and Leeds Gorse completing the order. 

In the boys’ competition, Gold Pool A was topped by Richmond A, who did not drop a set, ahead of runners-up South Bucks. 

Hosts AST Academy beat South Hants 2-0 to decide who finished third and fourth. 

Leeds Gorse Orange made the most of home advantage to win Gold Pool B with three 2-0 victories from three, but beyond that it was very closely contested. 

Newcastle Staffs, Urmston Grammar A and Stockport all notched one win and lost their other two games, meaning that it was set difference which ranked them in that order. 

Gold Pool C was also tight, with hosts club The Boswells School and Deep Dish Crystal Palace both recording two wins and one defeat, but the former edged ahead on superior set difference. 

London Lynx’s straight sets victory over Richmond B was key in them finishing above their rivals in the table on set difference.  

In Silver Pool D, held at Urmston Grammar, Liverpool were clear winners, beating runners-up Ashfield Vipers in their final match. 

Umrston Grammar B edged out Monkseaton to complete the Pool table order. 

Willesden Knights were on form in Silver Group E to finish top of the pile, winning all their matches 2-0. 

Dulwich pipped hosts Ashcombe to second place, while Worthing Dragons were fourth. 

The three-team bronze Pool F saw Black Country claim top spot, ahead of Leeds Gorse Purple and West Riding. 

While Tier 1 teams were playing their first Grand Prix matches after a previous preliminary round, Tier 2 clubs were into their second Grand Prix. 

The girls’ pools saw MK City A, Dartford, Frodsham, London Giants and Urmston Grammar as the five winners.  

The boys action also saw five groups contested, with Sheffield, VBDC, MK Monsters, Telford and Frodsham running out as pool winners. 

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To find out more about the competitions, and view overall rankings, click here. 

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