WE ALWAYS GET IT UP!

Once again Coaver lawn was bathed in sunshine thoughout the weekend as around 300 players took part in this years Exeter Festival of volleyball.

The weekend was a sell-out, with Fun 4's, Coaver Open and the evening party all full to brimming, despite increasing the capacity by squeezing in a few more teams.

Teams travelled from far and wide to join in the fun, but it was local Ottery team WE ALWAYS GET IT UP who were true to their word in the Coaver Open, beating Cheshire based PETERS FRIENDS by a 23-16 scoreline. This was a tight and thrilling match watched by the capacity crowd, and with neither team prepared to let the ball drop despite the ferocity of attacks from their opponents. In the end youth just about overcame experience after a tough day of competitive volleyball.

In all 65 teams took part in the Open, however there were only eight finalists from the morning pools, and these fought it out for the Cup. Lionhearts A (London), Vikings (Wanderers, Exeter), and Kings (Ottery) competed against 'We always get it up' for a place in the final. Lionhearts came close to making it, losing 20-21 to the eventual winners of the tournament. In the other half of the draw Flamingos (Wanderers, Exeter), Zymurgy (Wanderers, Exeter) and Yeovil Woods fought it out with Peter's Friends. Woods came closest losing 23-17.

In the Plate Exeter University, Hung-over Hoppers (Totnes), Wimbledon Wolves (London) and 'From Gloucester with sludge' (Stroud) came through the plate pools to make the semi finals despite fierce competition; Pool runners-up were Vale Eagles (Cheltenham) who lost 20-23 to Gloucester, Torexe A (Exeter) lost 19-20 to Wimbledon, 'Once were Warthogs' (Bristol) lost 18-22 to Exeter University and Devizes Waddies lost 18-24 to Hoppers.

Gloucester made it to the final beating Wimbledon 24-18, whilst Exeter University beat Hoppers 24-19. In the final Gloucester were firing on all cylinders despite the ravages of the previous nights party, and after a tight start managed to break away to win it 26-14.

In the Bowl Churchill (London), Taunton Teetotallers, Mix & Match (Kings, Ottery) and Nutters 1 (Portsmouth) came through the bowl pools to make the semi finals. Pool runners-up were Torexe C (Exeter) who lost 17-23 to Churchill, Southampton 1 who were tied with Taunton but had a lower match points tally, Lionheart C who lost 18-26 to Mix & Match and the Mauritian Massive (Southampton) who lost 18-20 to Nutters.

Taunton made it to the final beating Churchill 26-19, whilst Mix & Match just beat Nutters 21-19. In the final Kings Mix & Match took it by a 27-18 scoreline.

There was more success for Ottery Kings in the Junior events with Kings B beating Kings A 27-23 in the Under 16's event. PK3 (Leicester) finished third ahead of PK4 thanks to a 28-22 win in the play-off final.

In the Under 14's event Kings held on to their unbeaten record to take the silverware, with Devizes Dynamites second ahead of Devizes Dunkers. Priory A were edged into fourth despite beating the Dynamites earlier in the day.

In the Under 12's event Kings won it ahead of Red Panthers (Pinhoe) who finished in second place, with Pink Panthers (Pinhoe) third.

In Saturdays FUN 4's handicapped event it was Kings who emerged triumphant yet again with the YOUNG WONS making the most of their handicap to see off the wisened 4's masters ECPC (Wanderers, Exeter) 32-25. They even stayed up late to collect their trophy, volleyballs and pump at the evening presentations !

With a capacity 53 teams taking part this was a frantic afternoon of volleyball with all teams playing a minimum of 8 matches in pools. The top teams made it through to the Cup and included Mauritian Massive (Southampton), Dream Team (Stroud), Outdoor sets (Torexe, Exeter), all losing out to ECPC in their semi final pool. ECPC, Dream Team and the Mauritians were dead level on points, but ECPC snatched their pool thanks to a better match points tally (just 3 points better!).

In the other Cup Pool the Young Wons saw off Avanti (Wanderers, Exeter), Return of the Eek! (Wanderers, Exeter), Bottom Burps (Torexe, Exeter) and Just the shizzle (Kings, Ottery). But it was close all the way with Avanti managing a draw against the eventual tournament winners (28-28).

All of the remaining teams fought it out for their pools and the triumphant teams took away a variety of much sought-after prizes. The pool winners were Pompei Nil (Southampton), Awesome foursome (Stroud), Once were warthogs (Bristol), Rusenoir (Taunton), French Connection (London), Party Poppers (Totnes), Grave Diggers (London), Peter's Friends (Cheshire), Safe Sets (London), Vale (Cheltenham) and Muppets (Wanderers, Exeter). PK2 were the best placed Junior team and took home much sweeties!

Party goers were entertained in the evening by KISS THIS, and after presenting the Fun 4's winners prizes, awards were also presented to winners and runners up in the 2004-5 Exeter & District Leagues, with Space Hoppers (Totnes) winning both the Men's and Ladies Division 1 team awards! Awards were presented by Lindsay Foyle and Pete Notman on behalf of the Association.

Congratulations to the successful teams, thanks to those who came and participated, to the band of helpers (Wanderers) who set up and cleared away, and to Julia Chiverton our tournament referee.

Martin Oram

Tournament Organiser