University's Bowes features in top volleyball final
26th April 2008University of Bath teaching fellow, Morph Bowes, was in action today in the Volleyball England's National Cup final but his team London Malory went down in four sets to Sheffield in the men¹s final at the University's Sports Training Village.
A win would have given Malory "the double", having already won the National League this year. But a younger Sheffield side proved too strong in defence and innovative in attack.
Malory took the early advantage and led 11-8 and 17-14 in the first set before going down in a tense last few minutes 23-25. Sheffield¹s second set, meanwhile, was marked by inconsistency, particularly in attack and ended 20-25.
In the third set Sheffield reverted to their strong defence, picked up some early points and looked generally sharper on the court to take the set 25-21.
The young northern side soaked up the pressure in the fourth and led 16-14. That's when Malory player-coach Jefferson Wiliiams came on as a sub for the second time but that did not stop Sheffield closing out the final with an impressive 25-18 in set.
Hundreds of spectators watched the climax of the annual National Cup competitions which features six-a-side teams indoors.
Earlier University of Bath Sports Performance student Rachel Turner featured in the big women¹s final when her team, Polonia Ladies, xxxx to Sheffield. Ironically Polonia had knocked out Wessex Team Bath Ladies, winners of this seasons' National Volleyball League Women's Division One, in the semi-finals.
To take the league title Wessex Team Bath Ladies won 15 or their 18 fixtures to top the table with 48 points.
The second day of action Cup gets underway at 10am tomorrow (Sunday 27th April) when Madeley Newcastle Staffs play Ashcombe in the Under-16s Girls final.
Ashcombe will be aiming to go one step better than last year, when they finished runners-up to Tameside A.
The Under-16 Boys final is next up, when defending championships Boswells School play Ernest Bevin College. 2.30pm sees reigning champions Tameside face Ashcombe in the Women's Under-18 final.
The action draws to a close with the Men¹s Under-18 final, when Boswells School face Wessex in a repeat of last year¹s final.
Wessex won that encounter 3-2. Adults' tickets cost £3 on Sunday and concessions go free. Tickets are available from the Sports Training Village reception.
The University of Bath is home to Great Britain's beach volleyball squad. The top GB pairing of Lucy Boulton and Denise Johns will soon embark on the Swatch-FIVB World Tour in a bid to qualify for the Beijing 2008 Olympics.