Final 4 day two round-up – Giants and Palatinates reign supreme in Crystal Palace finalé

Both ran out deserved winners – the North East side in four and the Londoners in three – in front of a vocal and knowledgeable crowd watching from the stands, who added great value to an excellent exhibition of elite level volleyball.

Having gone all the regular season unbeaten, the pressure was on for Paul Welsh’s side to deliver the goods in the gold medal match.

But they were made to work for it as opponents Essex Rebels played some inspired volleyball at times, particularly in the second set.

That allowed them to hit back after Durham took the first 25-18 by taking the second emphatically, 25-14.

The Palatinates responded in kind by taking the third set by the scruff of the neck early on and never letting go, running out 25-15 victors.

That seemed to not the stuffing out of Alex Chinery’s side, who, like every other team this season, struggled to cope with the hitting power of MVP Chloe Thomas, who completed 20 kills and three blocks with just one error, enabling Palatinates to finish off with a 25-13 fourth set victory.

The men’s final was between two sides who finished just one place and one point apart during the regular season and a close match looked in prospect.

However, Giants’ blocking proved to be a major difference as the Knights could not quite reproduce the form that had seen them convincingly beat Malory in the semi-finals.

For Mihail Stoev’s side, it was a second Super League title in succession after beating Essex Rebels in last year’s final.

And while Newcastle could not quite go all the way this time, they can nevertheless reflect on an excellent season as their programme continues to gather strength.

MVP was handed to Amadou Samb who served and ace and made nine kills and one block, while Hamza Ouyachi contributed no less than six net interventions.

The bronze medal matches acted as a starter for what was to come and saw the women open up the day with a highly-competitive clash between losing semi-finalists Malory Eagles and Newcastle Knights.

Having lost the crown they won last year, the Londoners would have been keen to bounce back and claim the consolation of third spot, but they came up against a determined Knights side who have really stepped up this season following promotion from NVL Division 1 last season.

They sneaked an extended first set 27-25, and, though the Eagles came back strongly to take the second 25-21, Castle restored their lead after recovered from giving up an early 5-0 lead to win the third 25-21.

Another tight set ensued in the fourth, but it was Sam Shenton’s side who held their nerve to edge it 27-25 and seal victory.

It was a disappointing end for Malory, who did the league and cup double last year, but a result that will give the North East side a real platform to build on ahead of next season.

Malory’s Chloe Allen claimed 21 points from 18 kills and three blocks as Newcastle’s Jenna Vaske and Caroline McMahon notched 16 and 15 kills respectively.

The men’s bronze medal match was just as hard-fought, with the University of Nottingham forging ahead early against Malory Eagles on the run of a back of consecutive points that saw them win the first set 25-18.

It was crucial for Jefferson Williams’ side to get back into the match quickly, and they did so with captain Nathan Fullerton to the fore, levelling at 1-1 with a 25-23 success.

That set the tone for what was to come in each of the remaining two sets as each went Malory’s way 25-23, the match point sealed with a super spike from Benny Kouame.

The Eagles dominated the kill count, with setter Soner Yashar named as MVP in teeing up 25 kills for Fullerton and 20 for Kouame.

Volleyball England would like to thank all officials, coaches, volunteers supporters, staff and, of course, players for contributing to the success of the weekend.

Images by Keeran Marquis