In the boys’ competition, defending champions Richmond A powered out of the blocks to beat Willesden Titans (ranked eighth) 25-14, 25-17. Number one-ranked Newcastle Staffs, Cup Finalists last season, were pushed hard by Boswells School but came back from a set down to eventually win 23-25 25-23, 15-11 in a tight match. Third-ranked IBB Polonia were beaten 25-14, 25-19 by Urmston Grammar A (ranked sixth), while second-ranked Leeds Gorse Orange looked strong in seeing off the challenge of Exeter Storm (ranked fifth) 25-20, 25-17. The second round threw up a mouth-watering clash between Newcastle Staffs and Richmond A, which did not disappoint, going the full three sets. And it was the London side who eventually emerged victorious, 18-25, 25-23, 15-20, where a tight second set proved critical. Leeds Gorse were also winners, defeating Urmston Grammar 25-23, 25-17 as Boswell School and Exeter Storm were the two teams who lost their first matches to hit back with wins in their second (against Willesden Tigers 25-20, 20-25, 15-9 and against IBB Polonia 28-26, 24-26, 15-7 respectively). The gold match between Richmond A and Leeds Gorse produced a high standard of play and a fair amount of drama to go with it. The first set to and fro-ed all the way and both had set points before the team from the capital edged it 31-29. The second set proved to be a little easier for Richmond, but they were still made to work hard before taking it 25-21. The bronze medal fixture was won by Newcastle Staffs, who demonstrated their intent for future Grand Prix rounds by beating Urmston Grammar A 25-22, 25-23. Fitth and sixth was contested by Boswells School and Exeter and it was the former who did enough to clinch it 25-18, 25-17. The game between the already-relegated Willesden Titans and IBB Polonia saw the latter come through in three sets, prevailing 25-18, 15-25, 16-14 in one of the closest finishes of the weekend. The game between the already-relegated Willesden Titans and IBB Polonia saw the latter come through in three sets, prevailing 25-18, 15-25, 16-14 in one of the closest finishes of the weekend.
