IT was a busy weekend for Taunton Volleyball Club as they travelled to various competitions in the South-West.

Coach Jurek Jankowski took his Under 16’s Girls squad to Newbury for the first round of the National Cup. Participating were Emily Bailey (captain), Gemma Dade, Shara Nevison, Daniella Webb, Olivia Webster, Rebecca Chamberlain and Millie Green.

Their first game was against Ashcombe Dorking and it was a closely fought contest but Ashcombe came out winners by 2-0 in the best of three competition.

In their second match, they came up against a team packed with England Juniors, as they faced Academy of Beach Sports from Croyde.

Dade and Chamberlain played a fantastic blocking game, supported by controlled setting from Nevison and Webster to trouble one of the favourites in the competition.

“We gained their respect” said Jankowski as his team lost 2-0 but were proud to have pressed them all the way.

In their final game, against the hosts Newbury, excellent serving from Webb and an all round steady game from captain Bailey added to the confidence Taunton were gaining from the day's experience.

Jankowski also gave a debut to Green who steadied her nerves and contributed to a great finale, as Taunton won their first ever game in a competitive tournament 2-0.

Taunton Juniors came third in the group of four. The top two teams qualified for the next round. Taunton Juniors will use this confidence and prepare for next years Under 18’s cup competition.

Taunton Scorpions, who play in Division 1 of the Exeter and Devon League, travelled to Plymouth for their next league match.

In this Mens team, Scorpions boasted four players aged 18 and under, supported only by the experience of Mark Jeffries and ex-England and GB ‘Hall of Famer’ Jankowski.

The younger players of Elliot Lipscombe, Matt Pollock - students at Richard Huish - and Kostia and Ilya - borders at Taunton school - had a storming game, dig-set-smashing their way to help Scorpions to a 4-1 victory in this five set match. The Scorpions have won three matches and lost one to hold second place in the league.

Taunton Lightning, who compete in the second division of the Exeter and Devon League lost 3-2.

Volleyball Taunton train on a Tuesday night at Wellsprings Leisure Centre.

Junior training is between 5pm to 7pm : juniors@volleyballtaunton.org.uk

Adults train from 7pm to 9pm Based on information supplied by Simon Lipscombe.