Title favourites Belgium Blockers were pushed all the way by Seaview Setters but managed to remain unbeaten in the JaVA Portland Community Volleyball League on Sunday.

In a ding-dong match played at the home grounds for both teams, Gideon Educational Centre in Buff Bay, Portland, the Blockers came away three sets to two winners to finish the preliminary round of the inaugural competition unbeaten.

To the surprise and delight of the small community gathering of spectators, the Setters surprised the Blockers 28-26 to take the first set. Belgium, however, rallied in the second and third sets, winning them comfortably — 25-12, 25-20. The Setters regrouped in the fourth set and took it 25-20. The fifth and deciding set was a close affair throughout with the lead changing hands several times. Belgium Blockers were, however, able to weather the storming Setters and showed great mettle under pressure to take the set and the match with a 17-15 victory.

In the other match of the day, Hope Bay Spikers got the better of Hope Bay All Stars in a rain affected match at Hope Bay All-Age School. The match was reduced to a best of three sets match due to persistent rain. The Spikers won the match 25-23, 25-11, thereby snatching third place at the end of the round-robin section of the competition.

The competition continues next Sunday with Belgium Blockers vs Hope Bay All Stars and Seaview Setters vs Hope Bay Spikers in semi-final action at Gideon Educational Centre, starting at 2:00 pm.