U15 Super Six (14th March) - Richmond claim double while Staffs reach first U15 girls’ final since 2008

Girls' Competition 

None of the Newcastle Staffs girls’ squad had even been born the last time the Staffordshire-based side reached Cup Finals Weekend at this age group, some 16 years ago.

This weekend, however, they secured a golden ticket to the showpiece event after an impressive Super Six performance.

Staffs topped their pool with victories over MK City (25-23, 25-17) and Urmston Grammar (25-18, 25-17), booking their place in the semi-finals.

There they faced Malory Eagles in a thrilling contest. Malory started strongly, taking the opening set 25-22, but the Potteries side regrouped superbly to level the match with a convincing 25-15 second set.

The match was then decided in a tense tie-break. Malory took early control and led 8–2 at the side switch, but Staffs mounted a determined comeback, pushing the London side all the way to extra points before eventually sealing it 16–14.

They will now face defending champions Richmond, who claimed their ninth consecutive golden ticket to the final at this level.

The Londoners also topped their pool without dropping a set, defeating Malory Eagles (25-11, 25-12) and The Boswells School (25-18, 25-11).

Their semi-final saw them take on Urmston Grammar, runners-up in Pool B.

The Greater Manchester side pushed Richmond hard, particularly in the second set, which required extra points to decide the outcome.

However, Richmond’s experience ultimately proved decisive as they claimed a 2-0 victory (25-18, 27-25) to book their place in the final on 26th April at Loughborough University.

In the play-off for fifth place, The Boswells School secured a 2–0 win over MK City.

Boys’ Competition

In the boys’ competition, the two top seeds – Richmond and Urmston Grammar – continued their unbeaten runs from earlier stages of the tournament, both topping their respective pools.

Top seeds and defending champions Urmston recorded two strong 2-0 victories over Wessex (25-12, 25-18) and AST Academy (25-18, 25-13).

This set up a semi-final clash with London Giants, who had progressed from their pool after edging out The Boswells School in a tight 2-1 contest (25–19, 18–25, 15–11).

However, Urmston’s experience proved decisive as they produced a dominant performance to secure another golden ticket to the final with a 2-0 (25-7, 25-14) victory over London Giants. 

Richmond mirrored their opponents’ progress with two straight-set victories in the pool stages against Giants (25-10, 25-7) and The Boswells School (25-16, 25-22).

With Wessex finishing second in Pool A, Richmond knew they would have to overcome the South West side to join their female counterparts at the National Cup Finals.

Wessex fought hard, despite losing the opening set 25–21. The second set proved a dramatic affair, going point for point before Richmond eventually edged the contest, snatching two late points to win 30-28 and claim the golden ticket.

In the fifth/sixth place play-off, The Boswells School defeated AST Academy 2–0 (25-13, 25-18).

For all the Junior Grand Prix results and fixtures, click here.