CLEOBURY Mortimer men's volleyball team celebrated the perfect end to the club's 25th year anniversary season by winning the league for the first time in their history.

Their full-strength squad produced exciting fast attack volleyball during their thrilling 3-2 victory at Tamworth to clinch the West Midlands Men's League title.

But it was a nerve-tingling finale for the Mortimer men who had to win a tense decider after throwing away a two-set lead.

After starting so brightly, complacency set in as they allowed Tamworth back into the game.

Ultimately calm and steady serving and passing returned to give them a foothold in the final set which they eventually won 15-6 to spark ecstatic celebrations.

Player coach Carl Brookes said: "I couldn't have asked for a better result in a season when we'd merely hoped to avoid relegation.

"That it came in the club's 25th anniversary year was even sweeter." Mark Fish was player of the match. Sealing the championship made up for the disappointment of their defence of the West Midlands cup coming to an end.

Holders Mortimer travelled to Persian Phoenix with an under-strength side and slumped to a 3-1 defeat.

l There were mixed fortunes for Cleobury Mortimer Volleyball Club's men and women in their respective leagues and cups.

The ladies applied a silver lining to their cloudy relegation season by retaining the West Midlands Cup.

Despite tumbling out of West Midlands division two with one game still to play, the ladies did well on the cup trail.

They overcame a youthful-looking Telford team in straight sets, running out 25-16, 25-13, 25-15 winners.

Captain Becki Brookes was influential along with libero Becky Gallagher, Ellie White, Louise Rochell, Laura Edwards and sisters Lucy and Rachel Pugh.

Promising youngsters Gemma Beddows and Sophie Connolly, both aged 11, also got their chance to shine.