London Docklands endured mixed results in their National Volleyball Division One double-header last weekend after blowing hot and cold on a trip to the North East

London Docklands endured mixed results in their National Volleyball Division One double-header last weekend after blowing hot and cold on a trip to the North East.

The Dockers recorded a straight-sets win over Middlesbrough on Saturday before succumbing by to a 3-0 reversal against reigning champions Sheffield the following day.

Despite a sluggish start against newly promoted Middlesbrough, Docklands took the first set after blocks by Alexis Blair and a run of powerful serves from Rafael Durr helped the London outfit overturn an eight-point deficit and take the set 26-24.

Blair and Durr continued to impress in the second set as Dockers won the frame 25-22 after a Ricardo Senatore smash, while a tight third set went Docklands' way after a Middlesbrough error settled a tense battle 31-29.

Yet Docklands were unable to emulate that outcome against Sheffield, who had suffered a first defeat of the season a fortnight earlier, and the champions were good value for a 22-25 18-25 13-25 win, despite a strong display from Boris Halatchev.

Dockers captain Alexis Blair said: "After a good away win on Saturday it was disappointing we couldn't sustain our early-season promise on Sunday.

"We know that we can compete and beat sides like Sheffield, we just need to step up when we have to. We can come back from this a stronger team and next week will be a good place to start."

Docklands play local rivals London Lynx at Bacon's College on Saturday.