Cup Finals 2026 day one round-up - Giants and Palatinates double up

Both teams went into Saturday’s matches having already wrapped up respective men’s and women’s Super League titles at Final 4 two weeks ago.

And both were victorious again – albeit in contrasting circumstances – against Malory Eagles’ men and women, for whom the day turned out to be one of disappointment.

The men’s match closed the action for the day and was played amid a carnival atmosphere on Court 1, with both sides’ supporters turning up the volume for their heroes.

The Eagles stole in front early on, but the Giants stemmed the tide before turning up the heat late in the set to win it 25-21.

The Londoners used that momentum to win the second set at a canter, 21-12, meaning it was must win for Malory in the third and they did claw one back, as a Nathan Fullerton fireball sealed a 25-23 success.

Jefferson Williams’ side repeated that feat by the same margin in the fourth - with Giants having to cope with the absence of the injured Hamza Ouyachi - to set up a decider in a repeat of last season’s men’s final, which also went the distance.

And, once again, despite an MVP performance from captain Fullerton, it was Malory who were left heartbroken as the Giants rediscovered their mojo to win out 15-11.

The women’s final saw much more one-sided as Durham Palatinates underlined why they have gone unbeaten throughout the entire campaign, wrapping up a treble when counting the BUCS title they won in March.

After laying down a marker in the first set to take it 25-19, things got progressively easier for the North Easterners as Malory were unable to keep pace, commanding the third sets 25-16, 25-8 in rapid time.

Chloe Thomas was top scorer, with 17 points from 14 kills and three blocks.

The Women’s Shield Final paired together two closely-matched Division 2 sides who have both finished in the top two of their respective regional divisions.

Despite a slow start, Cambridge forged ahead by taking a tight first set 25-23, only for Reading Aces to hit back immediately and tie the match up at 1-1, clinching the second 25-19.

The third set was always likely to prove crucial and Cambridge powered to a 25-13 triumph in it, breaking Reading’s resistance in the process, allowing the Division 2 East runners-up to finish things off 25-22 against the Division 2 West champions.

Julia Pallamin, who was a mainstay of Cambridge’s first team during their time in Super League, has dropped down to supply hitting and blocking strength and certainly supplied that with 19 kills, five blocks and one ace.

In the U16 Girls final, South Bucks were playing on this stage for the first time and brought a colourful green army of fans to cheer them on their way.

But in Richmond they encountered a team who were too strong, with the South West London outfit running out 25-18, 25-13, 18-25, 25-18 winners against a side they had beaten in their pool at the Last 6 tournament. MVP was Richmond’s Ali Owen-Crompton.

The two matches that started the day off began at the same time, one of which saw Sitting Bucks going for an incredible fifth straight Sitting Cup Final success.

More than ever in recent times, opponents Help For Heroes have threatened to dethrone their rivals after an excellent 25-26 campaign.

But, when it mattered most, the Bucks came up with the goods, warding off a H4H comeback to prevail 25-22, 25-14, 13-25, 26-24 and leave them celebrating again, long-standing captain GB captain Rob Richardson putting in a MVP performance as libero.

Finishing just before them, Urmston Grammar underlined their strength for producing talented young teams, retaining their U15 crown with a straight sets win over Leeds Gorse that was rarely in doubt, even though the Yorkshire side rallied in the third (25-13, 25-14, 25-23).

MVP Kairon Tait-Millward, of Urmston, led the game’s kill count with 12. 

On a busy day in LE11, three separate events were held in Martin Hall as part of Volleyball England’s showpiece event for the season.

First, the NVL presentations saw the divisional winners and MVPs presented with awards for their excellence during the campaign.

Next, the Annual Awards 2026 saw some of the sports most valued volunteers and contributors recognised for their efforts across 11 categories, while Roy Pankhurst received the Peter Wardale Award for outstanding service.

Finally, Volleyball England held a 70th celebration event where 15 guests panelists from across the years were interviewed and there was also a presentation leading those in attendance on a journey from the organisation’s inception in 1955 to the modern day… and what’s to come in the future.

Images by Simon Clarke, Sky Park and Abdoulie Ndure