THE level of volleyball at the West Dorset Schools area tournament hosted by Colfox School turned out to be of an exceptionally high standard.

Over the last three years the skill levels within the schools has progressed incredibly in all facets of the game.

The Colfox Year Nine team of Amy Lambert, Rhiannon Parker, India Morgan, Masie Kitton and Ella Kershaw proved too strong for their less experienced IPACA and Wey Valley opposition in the under-14 girls' event.

They played confidently and convincingly to win for the third year running.

Steady defensive play and solid teamwork resulted in a strong victory with no sets lost throughout the whole competition.

They will now go on to represent West Dorset at the Dorset School Games on Monday, March 23 at the LeAF Academy in Poole. Students from the school will also officiate at the county competition.

The Colfox team of George Wyrill, Sam Huxter, Brian Robershaw and Luke Robertson started convincingly in a very close match against Wey Valley in the under-15 boys' tournament.

Colfox won the first set and then narrowly lost the second 17-15.

In the final set, Huxter and Robertson played some crucial defensive points and the team went on to triumph 15-12.

Their second game was against a very motivated IPACA II side who won two very close sets to beat the hosts.

To their credit, the Colfox team quickly got over the disappointment of losing their second game and played consistently well in the final match against IPACA I.

Having lost the first set, they went on to win the next two 15-8 and 15-10 to claim the match.

During these games Wyrill demonstrated his ability to spike the ball and Robertson’s determination to chase down and retrieve in defence was a pleasure to watch.

The tournament was officiated by the Colfox Year Nine GCSE PE students, who were supported by Josh Alner from Year Seven. All of those helping out did an excellent job.

The final results of the boys’ games had to be decided on points difference as three teams had won two games each.

Overall result: 1 IPACA I, 2 John Colfox, 3 IPACA II, 4 Wey Valley