VOLLEYBALL: THE Eels climbed back to the top of the National League table with two convincing home victories at the EPIC Centre.

They completed the double over struggling RAF Sentinels with a 3-0 win. Complacency on the part of the Eels combined with an impressive hitting performance from the RAF from the off saw the Eels trail for most of the first set before they eventually edged a 25-23 win.

In the second set the Eels settled into a more consistent pattern of play to win by 25-18 without really hitting top form. From there the RAF's confidence seemed to drain away and they slumped to a 25-8 defeat - the first time the Eels have restricted opponents to single figures in a National League game. MVP was setter Paul Lindley who settled the team when brought on from the bench towards the end of the first set.

The Eels then played unbeaten Nottingham needing to win to keep their promotion push alive and they pulled out a convincing 25-17 win in the first set, only to slip to a disappointing 25-21 defeat in the second. The Eels then cruised to 25-15, 25-13 set wins to take the match 3-1.

The ease of victory was surprising as the Eels had never beaten Nottingham in six attempts. MVP was Ukrainian Sasha Skydan who was unstoppable through the left wing in his best Eels performance.

The wins put Eels back to the top of the league with a six wins and two losses record. They are next in action on Sunday in an EVA Shield tie at Middlesbrough.

In the Merseyside League Cup the Eels Ladies A team defeated Wirral 3-1 with setter George Healey impressing in her debut.

The previous evening the Ladies B team won their Division Two match at Cheshire County Sports Club, Upton, defeating a strong Liverpool Royals team by the closest of margins, 17-15 in the fifth set.

In an all-round team performance Sam Liccia played particularly well both in attack and defence.

The Men's B team lost 3-1 to Chester College in their opening Division Two match of the season.

The team played well in defeat given that there were a number of play-ers making their debut and three of their strongest players were unavailable.

The performance of the week must go to Whitby who won 3-0 (25-10, 25-9, 25-7) at Bridgewater B to maintain their unbeaten start in Division Two.