NI Civil Service Win Double UK National Titles

The NI Civil Service squad travelled to Loughborough University in September to compete in the National UK Civil Service Championships with high hopes of success after achieving runners up positions in the Mixed and Men's Competitions last year.

The competition was run over two days with intense play scheduled from 9am - 5pm on each day. The mixed format of 2 ladies and 4 men took place in the morning session in 4 groups of 4 teams, with the men following the same format in the afternoon.

NICS started play confidently winning all three of their Mixed group games on the first morning, and progressing to the second days play as top seeds.

It was a different story in the Men's competition. NICS had been drawn in a very strong group, with London and HMRC ( Revenue and Customs ) both of whom are regular semi finalist. In both matches NICS played smart attacking volleyball, beating London 25 - 19, 25 - 17, and HMRC on points 25 - 19, 24 - 26, to progress first in the group to the quarter final stage on day two.

The morning of day two saw the NICS Mixed team sail through to the final with wins over MOD and London to set up a replay of last years final with HMRC. In the early stages of the match HMRC looked confident of retaining their title with big hitting from their middle men, but strong performances from Julie Hill and Maureen Tipping showed they had no fear of the big hitting HMRC Team. NICS fought hard through the first set, showing determination and spirit to win the set 25 - 19. HMRC came out strong in the second set forcing NICS back and taking a 5 point lead in the early stages of the set. After a strategic time out NICS fought back to level the set at 23 -23, eventually losing the set 25 - 23 but winning the match and National Mixed title on points count back.

In the afternoon it was the turn of the Men to try and emulate the success of the Mixed team. The strength and depth of the NICS squad was demonstrated in the quarter and semi final matches with the inclusion of Setter, Patrick Elder, Outside Hitter, Keith Carr and Liam Breslin in his first National Competition. The NICS quarter and semi final line up showed class, skill, determination and team spirit to comfortably defeat  MOD 25 - 15, 25 - 8, and DSRA  25 - 19, 25 - 14, respectively, to set up a compelling final with five times consecutive Men's Champions, English Prison Service.

In the early stages of the final NICS demonstrated fine composure, frustrating Prison Service with outstanding blocking from Peter Michna, Drew McGookin and Peter White, which forced the opposition to tip the ball over the block,  thus allowing NICS time to set winning attacks. At 18 -18 in the first set NICS showed their will to win with outstanding back court pick ups from Barry O`Donnell and Jim Doherty which inspired the team on to win the first set 25 - 19.

In the second set NICS went on court expecting Prison Service to come out with all guns blazing, but with seven and eight serves in a row from Bill Harrison and Drew McGookin respectively without reply saw Prison Service crumble and allowed NICS to win the second set 25 - 9 and take their first UK National Men's Title.

Thanks got to all of the NICS squad for the commitment during pre tournament training and dogged determination to win matches and bring Double UK National Titles Back to Northern Ireland.

The Squad :- Maureen Tipping, Julie Hill, Jenny Stuart, Patrick Elder, Keith Carr, Liam Breslin, Drew McGookin, Bill Harrison, Peter White, Barry O`Donnell, Peter Michna, Jim Doherty.###