CLEOBURY Volleyball’s new-look teams secured a mixed bag of results at the start of the West Midlands League season.

The ladies got their defence of the Division One crown off to a sluggish start with a 3-0 defeat at home to Telford but the men began with a 3-1 success against their counterparts from the Shropshire outfit.

However, there was a 3-0 defeat for the women’s second string against Tamworth in Division Two in spite of some encouraging individual performances.

Emma Gallagher and new signing from Hereford, Zan Mats, played for the ladies’ first team but a lack of cohesion was apparent in the opening set with Telford's series of tactical shots exploiting the hosts.

There was little change in the second and despite some moments of attacking promise from Shannon Smith and Lyndsey Potter in the third, it proved too little too late in a disappointing whitewash.

The men made light of their changes with Nick Guest in defence and with the first set in their sights, junior Callum McCrorie helped them over the line 25-19.

Cleobury stuck with a strong starting six but laboured in the middle of the second set before recovering thanks to some help from player-coach Carl Brookes to edge out Telford 26-24

Brookes opted to shuffle his pack for the third, handing court time to newcomers Andrew Bunn and Tom Harris and although the side gelled well, they were overpowered and lost 25-14.

The hosts reverted to their original sextet for the fourth and decisive set and won 25-19 with Jack Brookes named most valuable player overall.

The ladies’ second string were beaten 25-21, 25-23, 25-1. Junior Nicki Lyth performed well in her first senior outing, Leah Brookes earned players’ player of the match and captain Melissa Didlick secured most valuable player.