London Docklands bowed out of the National KO Cup after a straight-sets loss in the third round to holders Wessex BU.

Going down 17-25, 21-25 and 15-25, Docklands’ first loss of the season came against a strong Wessex side containing GB Olympians Ben Pipes and Dan Hunter and former Docklands player Alex Chevau.

A positive start to the first set saw Docklands pressurise the Wessex passing unit, and some pulsating rallies saw Docklands ahead at 13-12 and still in touch at 16-14, but a devastating run of serves by Wessex’s Miguel Espinoza took the set away from them.

Docklands came closest to winning a set in the second, in touch halfway through, they couldn’t keep up with the consistency of Vangelis Koutouleas’ side and despite threatening a late comeback, Wessex called a time out at 23-21 up.

Wessex wrapped up the final set from the off when the deceptive serving of former Docklands player Chevau saw them take a 5-0 lead and never really look back.

Docklands coach Ercüment Karakoç said “We did well at times, but in the end we could not match Wessex’s consistency.

“We must now take the positives out of today’s performance into a big weekend next week.”

Docklands now face a crucial double-header weekend against league title rivals Danes Watford and Newcastle Staffs.

Two wins would see Docklands end 2013 on a high and in complete control of Division One.