AFTER the thrills of Island Games year, the 2003-4 season was one of consolidation. Some old faces retained their league titles, although there was also a pleasing development of younger teams.

Goldridge Stone Ladies retained their Personnel Appointments League title. The teams played each other once, then the division split into two. Goldridge endured some close matches with NashCopy Ladies and Alternative Solutions One, who came good at the end of the season. First Sports also beat their first team, NashCopy, early in the season and caused a few frights later on.

ASL Two, in their first season together, deservedly won the Division Two title, although great progress was made by Foresters and KPMG.

Goldridge Men made it a double celebration when they took the Personnel Appointments title after a close season. The defending champions had to work hard against their second side, Lexicon, while NashCopy also edged out the same side in a thrilling five-setter.

They, Lexicon, NashCopy Men and Ansbacher all battled hard, while Barings, a young side, gained plenty of worthwhile experience.

There was a familiar feel to the Guernsey Physiotherapy Group Mixed League.

After the initial round-robin matches, the league split into two. In the top flight, NashCopy Mixed did not drop a game to either Cannon or RB Coquelin to seal another title.

In the second division, only 10 points covered four teams, Barings taking the trophy.

Investec beat Bougourd Bruisers in the play-off for the social league title in a tight three-setter. Newcom-ers Collins Stewart should also feel pleased with their season’s work.

Bruisers gained some consolation with victory in the Goldridge Stone Mixed Tournament. Five social league teams entered the handicap event, Kleinwort Benson winning the first set of the final.

Division One and Two sides were also handicapped well. In the final, NashCopy, who had lost to Saffery Champness in the round robin, faced Barings, beaten by both Cannon and NashCopy. Barings took the first set before tiredness and inexperience saw the match slip away.

ASL entered a joint team for April’s Fletcher Sports tournament and surprised themselves by beating Goldridge Stone Ladies in the first match. But they faced NashCopy Ladies in the final and the latter ran out the winners.

NashCopy Men turned the tables on their league rivals, Goldridge Stone Men, by winning their final.

There were two wins and two defeats in the inter-insulars held at Beau Sejour.

Guernsey opted for a youth policy in the women’s B match and despite a defeat, there was much that bodes well for the future, though disappointingly Guernsey also lost the men’s B fixture.

The women’s A match was abandoned after two injuries to Jersey left them unable to field a team, though Guernsey were in the ascendancy.

However, Guernsey men totally dominated the A fixture and won in three straight sets.

*The Guernsey Volleyball Association annual meeting will be held at 7pm next Monday at Beau Sejour.

All are welcome.