The U16 Qualification tournament took place at the Lynch Centre in Dundee with the final slots at the SVA Cup Finals Weekend at stake.
A record 10 teams from Oban to Aberdeen took to the court after successful league campaigns in which all teams competing won at least 2 games in the league season. It was all set to be a very competitive day…
Early in the day’s fixtures pitched the 1st and 2njd seeds together. In the boys pool City of Edinburgh took on Cavalry Park NUVOC. The last league game between the two sides went the full distance and this one was to be no different. Edinburgh proving to have just too much power on the left side as they closed out the tie-break 15-8.
In the girl’s equivalent, Marr College managed to put in a very solid performance to avenge their defeat in the last day of the season which saw the league title head to Queensferry. A dominant first set to 12 points was followed by coming back from 21-23 down to take the match in straight sets.
With the two victors having two wins to their names including against the 2nd seeds, the odds were in the favour, it was now about who would join them.
Beacon attempted to alter proceedings in the boy’s competition putting in a
well-rounded performance which included 3 man blocks, brilliant scramble defence and quick attacks from the middle against City. A very impressive performance but unfortunately not enough power to compete with their opponents, but for their first full season in the competition, a brilliant performance from the boys from Aberdeen.
In the girls NUVOC were able to dispose of spirited performances from Marr College B and City of Edinburgh B to keep their chances of final qualification alive. The 12 strong squad showed great dedication to play and to keep the ball alive, but unfortunately a victory over the ‘big two’ proved to be a step too far… for now.
The final boys games of the day were very intense indeed, Beacon and NUVOC were in a straight winners takes all match for the final spot. Cavalry Park put in a very mature display controlling the game and minimizing errors, winning the match in straight sets, ensuring a first appearance at Cup Finals Weekend for a NUVOC junior team.
The most dramatic game of the day, however, was the match between two of the first time entrants into the competition, James Gillespie’s NUVOC and Lorn VC. The young boys from Oban found their stride and got off to a great start which the managed to narrowly hold old to, winning 25-23. It was thanks to a run of 9 serves from Angus Pinksey that saved Gillespie’s as they edged it 24-26. There was somewhat of an inevitability about the outcome of the tie-break that it would be decided by two points, with James Gillespie’s taking the tie-break 15-13 and with it their first U16 Scottish Cup win.
A massive thank you to officials; Jamie Salvin, Dominic Sirant & Kieran Jones Tett who did a magnificent job of running the competition day as well as mentoring our young officials through the games.
Congratulations to the Teams that made the final, but most importantly well done to all teams on a record breaking season and showing some fantastic levels of play and encouragement, the future is certainly safe in your hands.
Make sure you come and Join us on Junior Finals day as Part of SVA CUP FINALS WEEKEND on Sunday 9th April 2017.
