Opponents: Wessex 1
Competition: National League Division 1
Date: Saturday 12th April 2003
Venue: -
Result: 3-0 Win (25-0, 25-0 and 25-0)
Headline: Docklands Claim Second Place
Author: Andy Hopper

London Docklands Volleyball completed their national league season at the weekend in disappointing fashion, as their opponents, Wessex of Bournemouth, could not field a team. Docklands subsequent 3-0 walkover guaranteed them their best ever set of league results. However, Docklands' title opponents, London Malory, completed their season with a convincing win over Speedwell to ensure that they won the national league division 1 title for the ninth time in ten years.

Despite this disappointment, Docklands can look back on their most successful season ever with some pride. Their KO Cup victory just over a week ago is still fresh in the memory and was a well-deserved award for the team's commitment and hard work over the seven-month season.

Coach Ian Legrand said, "At the start of the season we sat down and agreed some tough goals and we achieved them all. In fact, the cup win was a bonus but was very satisfying." He continued, "We now must build on this success and take our game to another level to make sure we can stay at the top of English volleyball."

His team's captain, Albrecht Glitz was also already looking to the challenges ahead, "We have a great team spirit and that has proved the difference in a number of games this year. But we can still improve and after a well earned break I am looking forward to getting back in the gym and working with the guys to make sure we stay ahead of the rest of the league."

Docklands now have a break of three months before pre-season training begins in July. However, three of the squad will be involved in the international season when they will join up with the rest of the England squad after Easter to start preparing for their crucial European Championship matches in Loughborough in June.

Lead by Docklands coach Ian Legrand, who is also the Head Coach of the England team, Danny Weemes, Alexis Blair and Andy Vincett will be hoping to continue their excellent league form to make sure they secure a place in Legrand's final squad for the visit of Belarus, Moldova and Bosnia.

The end of the season also sees two Docklands players end their national league careers with the retirement of Mike Lams and the return of Nathan Lang to his native Australia. They will be sorely missed and difficult to replace. Docklands are also facing up to the possibility of losing the services of their star power hitter Danny Weemes, who is looking for a professional playing contract on the continent. At only 21 years old Weemes is one of England's most talented volleyball players but to further his career he needs to be playing every day at a higher level - his Docklands colleagues will miss him but wish him luck.

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