The U18 girls winner had already been decided prior to the final round of matches today with Marr College proving consistency is the key. Two further victories would see them complete a third straight season undefeated.
Attentio
n, however, was not just at Queensferry where the champions elect were playing. NUVOC were also hosting a round of fixtures with Aberdeen Grammar A and B. Aberdeen A needed two wins to maximise their chances of finishing as runners-up, which they did with relative comfort. However, a cracking match was played out between NUVOC and Aberdeen Grammar B in the fight to avoid the bottom of the table.
It was Cavalry Park NUVOC who took the match after a tense third set, winning 17-15. The 2-1 victory was not enough to overtake their rivals, but they can certainly be happy to finish the season with such a close win.
In the matches at Queensferry, Marr College B beat City of Edinburgh B to ensure they finished in a ‘league of their own.’ The team found themselves in the unusual circumstance of winning every set they played against the three teams below them and losing every set against the three teams above them.
It the final match of the season City of Edinburgh looked to be causing an upset. They had Marr’s undefeated run in great risk by taking the first set in impressive fashion 25-15, to the delight of the home supporters. However, Marr showed why they are the champions by responding with a storming 25-8 2nd set victory to take it to a 3rd set decider.
A win for Edinburgh in the 3rd set would secrure them the runners-up spot and end Marr College’s winning run, however, it was the Ayrshire side who took the final set of the season to accompany with the winners trophy.
In the Boys U18 Junior SVL, South Ayrshire needed a 3-0 victory in their first match against Perth & Kinross to keep their challenge for the title alive. Their opposition P&K rose to the challenge straight from the first ball taking the opening set 25-22. That set loss meant that the title was now out of South Ayrshire’s reach. Despite this, the team galvanised and reached an impressive level to take the next two sets 25-19, 15-9. A result which ensured that they could not be caught from P&K for the runners-up spot.
There was now only one other spot that was still up for grabs. A win for Beacon Blaze over Perth & Kinross would secure 4th place them above Cavalry Park NUVOC and off the bottom spot in their debut season.
In a tight first set it looked to be on the cards as the side from the Granite City took a 1-0 lead (25-21.) A resurgance from the home side P&K followed, as they hit their way back into the game through Jack McKevley and Callum Campbell edging set 2, 23-25. The win seemed to be beyond the Beacon boys, however, when they found themselves 9-13 down. Some brave serving and defence saw the team rally and take the set 17-15 and with it 4th place in the league table.
The final fixture of the day was a formality in terms of the league table,
however, that did not stop a high level game from taking place. Both teams showed some good ball control and made good use of running quick sets to the middle blockers. Despite South Ayrshire’s spirited performance they were unable to stop City winning the league undefeated.
It was clear from today that there was not a huge gulf between all the teams in the league and that come U18 Scottish Cup qualification, a place in the final is really up for grabs for all teams!
Graeme Spowart
Club & Participation Development Officer
