Cleobury Ladies 3 Tameside 2

Cleobury Mortimer Ladies beat top of the table Tameside in what was a hard-fought National League five set match that kept their spectators and coaches on the edge of their seats.

In true Cleobury style the squad took the first set to get into their stride and narrowly lost 22 - 25 as Tameside tried to stamp their authority.

However Cleobury never go down without a fight and showed they had defiantly risen to the challenge of facing a Tameside squad who had not lost a game all season.

The home side produced some excellent defensive work throughout the match, and with a variety of deliveries from setter Becky Brookes hitters Eva Mort, Claire Jones and Sam O'Connor were able to dominate at the net with powerful hitting. This excellent team display coupled with Cleobury's determined team spirit was too much for the Manchester side as they went down 25 - 23 and 25 -16 in the second and third sets respectively.

Unfortunately, Cleobury were not allowed to have it all their own way as Tameside came back with a change of tactics to take the fourth set 23 - 25.

The deciding fifth set was very much an extension of the second and third sets where both sides matched each other point for point. Cleobury regained their consistent passing with the help of Sophie Cooke and Claire Jones to enable all hitters to dominate the court and build up a slight lead. Cleobury had the breathing space they needed and in the final minutes of the set Sam O'Connor gave the home side the reward they deserved with two kill blocks on Tameside's middle hitters. This give Cleobury game set and match at 15 - 13 in what was one of the best displays of team consistency and determination this season.

After match cheese on toast and chip butties were served at 'The Old Lion, before a dejected Tamside got back on the bus to Manchester.

Cleobury continued the celebrations this time ensuring that anyone who is anyone was aware that Cleobury Ladies beat the top of the league!

Walsall University Campus 1 Cleobury Ladies 3

Cleobury Ladies deservedly took their second win in a row in the West Midlands League Division Two on Sunday.

Refusing to let a new court rotation phase them, the constantly improving side had only half an hour of training using the new one-setter system and this away match against Walsall proved that it worked.

Cleobury battled in the first set against a team of girls who seemed more used to playing football judging by the number of times they kicked or headed the ball over the net. The away team stuck to 'pretty' three-touch volleyball and were the better side throughout.

Walsall's unconventional approach to the game threw Cleobury and took the score to 24-19. However, strong serving by Robyn Slingsby moved the score in Cleobury's favour and they snatched the set 24-26.

In the second set, confident passing by Julie White and Sarah-Jane Davies secured a lead and the team's youngest player, Ellen Jordan, added to the score with some good left-handed hitting from the wing. The set was Cleobury's, 18-25.

Hard serving from Walsall put Cleobury off their stride in the third set and several powerful hits from Louise Rochelle wasn't enough to pull points back. Walsall took the set 25-17.

In what was to be the fourth and final set, Cleobury captain Amanda Price lead the team to victory, supported by setter Kerry Little. Cleobury won 18-25 and the game 3-1.

Coach Ellie White said after the game the team could be proud of their performance as they were by far the better team on the day.

Cleobury now look forward to a home game against Wolverhampton University Campus on Sunday, December 7.