Cleobury Mortimer 1 set Telford 3 sets

Despite the impressive destruction of Tamworth two weeks ago, Cleobury men ended their West Midland's Volleyball League men's division season with another home defeat at the hands of rivals Telford. Despite this, they remain in Division One of the League while Telford find themselves relegated.

The match was very close with all of the sets being won by the absolute minimum two points. Cleobury looked the more polished with impressive shot variation at the hands of prime setter Adam Bills but what let them down was an often inconsistent defence, especially in the back court.

Both Carl Brookes and player-of-the-day Mike Childes were winning good points, the former with power, the latter with intellgent cut shots only to see their hard work squandered by a run of two or three silly unforced errors.

All of the sets had the pattern of being even to around the fifteen all mark when Telford would grab a two or three point lead forcing Cleobury to play catch-up to the twenty five. The exception was the second set where Cleobury held onto to a slender advantage because of effective fast attack from Simon Eades in middle and Simon Fish on wing. Jim Childes played his usual sublime libero game giving consistent quality ball to the setter.

Coach Lynsey Rankin said the men struggled to play to a consistent standard in all positions throughout the season, a fact borne out by the fact there is no West Midlands silverware in the Cleobury cabinet for the first time in two years. Despite this she remained upbeat, as she had seen a quantum improvemt in individual performances especially from Adam Bills that could only bode well for next season.