Durrington volleyballers in national last eight en masse

Playing for Ashcombe, from Dorking, where they train, the Under-18 and Under-14 boys and girls, plus the Under-16 and Under-15 girls all play for top south east club Ashcombe, at Dorking, where they train with others from around Sussex and Surrey.

Only the Under-16 boys, the least experienced, missed out when they lost to Essex teams Boswells and Tendring, and Hertfordshire's St Clement Danes. Jimmy Carey and Greg Warren made their mark in blocking and spiking, however, and captain Kieron Gillard led as setter and playmaker.

On March 8-9, the Under-18s girls will go to Southglade, Nottingham and the boys to Keele University. The girls put out Walthamstow, London Lynx and Boswells, all 2-0. In their team are ex-Durrington players Chantelle Bashford, Susan Hoare and Jess Grimson plus current students Sabrina Farley, Hannah Carey and Georgina Bird.

The boys included Rob Pennifold, ex-Durrington HS, now Worthing College, and present students Jimmy Carey and Greg Warren. They disposed of Tendring, Epsom College and West London's Latymer VC, also all 2-0.

The Under-16 girls are entirely current Durrington. Their crucial victory was over Boswells, the 2007 Under-15 finalists, and not until 32-30 in the final set (25 wins a set if by two clear points), thanks to steady nerves all round, and a final winning spike by Sabrina Farley. Teamwork was led by captain and setter, Izzy Fumagalli and there was confident blocking and spiking by Hannah Carey and Georgia Bird.

Against Wessex of Dorset they lost 2-1, having won the opening set 25-23, but Wessex lost to Boswells, so Durrington's 2-0 victories in all other games took them forward.

The Durrington Under-14 girls and boys dropped only one match in 12 between them in qualifying as south east champions for their finals at Ernest Bevin School, Tooting, on March 1.

The girls won all their six, and without dropping a set. Captain Georgia Bird and sister Megan and Sian Warren '” it is three-a-side '” showed confident attacking serves and applied constant pressure. Megan is an excellent defender and Bird is dominant at the net.

The boys were led confidently by Tom Wardell, and included Mark Stewart and John Watkins, plus Harry Bird who showed his serving and defending ability.

The Under-15 girls reached their last eight which ewill be at Nottingham on March 30.

Club details, juniors welcome from all schools, plus adults. Coaches: Freda Bussey (01903 244957 work), Darren Ball. Training at Durrington: Mondays 6-8pm. At Worthing High School: Tuesdays. Other competition: Sussex Women's League. Ashcome VC website: www.ashcombevolleyball.co.uk