Volleyball

DEFENDING champions Cleobury Mortimer came through the first round of the West Mids Cup with the minimum of fuss by winning 3-0 at Tamworth B.

Despite the absence of key players Jon Nock and Mark Fish, Cleobury had no problems easing past their hosts 25-14, 25-18 and 25-18.

The game was also used to give experience to junior player Jamie Guest, who handled his backcourt duties well, and promising 15-year-old debutant Aaron Booton, who looked at home in his first taste of this level.

On the following night, Cleobury travelled to local rivals Telford for a league match and produced another three-sets win.

England junior Matt Bate looked comfortable in an unfamiliar hitting role, while setter Carl Brookes was in fine form, backed up by outside hitters Adam Bills and the returning Fish, who both played well.

Cleobury are now lying in second place, having lost only one match so far this season.

But their next two matches are against Wombourne and bogey team Persian Phoenix, who are both challenging for the league title.

Cleobury Ladies suffered a 3-0 home defeat to Warwick University in West Midlands Ladies League division two.

They showed that they are making steady progress, but still need to improve their will to win.

Despite Warwick arriving late and rushing their warm up they won the first set 25-21 and clinched the subsequent sets 25-16 and 25-7. On the plus side, the match included some good passing, hitting and defending from player of the match Amanda Price. Cleobury face Redhill at home this Sunday.