CLEOBURY Mortimer Ladies suffered only their second defeat in West Midlands Volleyball League One as a strong NEST side ran out 3-1 winners.

The Walsall-based team took the opening set before Cleobury’s defence picked up with libero Rebekah Gallagher digging some perfect balls to setter Becky Brookes who set up the attacks as they levelled the game.

But the third set saw Cleobury fall apart on their serve receive and NEST led throughout before taking the fourth set to clinch the match.

There was further disappointment as they lost 3-1 to Tamworth in the quarter-final of the West Midlands Cup.

This match was always going to be tough as Tamworth were looking for revenge after Cleobury had already beaten them twice in the league and had called in some of their National League players.

The match started with some long rallies with both defences playing well. Good work from Gallagher, Brookes and Lyndsey Potter set up attacks from Rosie Millichamp and Katherine Howell as Cleobury took the opening set 25-18.

The second set was much the same but Tamworth took the lead and not even some accurate timing from middle blocker Shannon Smith could stop them from taking the set 25-20.

Cleobury were always in touch in the third set but with Tamworth’s defence setting up their National League players, the set crept away from them. And the visitors also edged the fourth to wrap up the match.