THE Weymouth Go Spike Beach Volleyball League got off to an exciting start with a total of 36 players taking part in the different sections of the event.

A new pairing of James Tagart and Craig Bishop claimed the first win of the season in the A series.

The duo put out last term’s most improved team of Carl Neale and Ian Denslow in the first of the semi-finals, winning 21-15.

The difference between the two pairings seemed to be the quality of serving, with Bishop in particular causing problems for the opposition.

The second semi-final saw Ali Mitchell and Stephen Williamson defeat Matt Board and Mat Palmer 21-12.

Williamson and Mitchell started the final well and matched their more experienced opponents point for point.

But then some unforced errors from the duo allowed Bishop and Tagart to take a commanding lead at 14-8, leaving Williamson and Mitchell very much up against it.

And the lead for the Bishop-Tagart combination was to prove decisive as they remained in control for the rest of the match, eventually going on to seal a 21-12 triumph.

In the B Series, there was an impressive win for Andy Carlisle and Jody Bowler, who were playing their first event for a couple of years.

They came through by winning an exciting final 15-12 against Gary Cheeseman and 16-year-old Liam Tewkesbury.

The league continues tomorrow and new players of any standard are very welcome.

Players register at the permanent courts on Weymouth Beach from 6pm.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday evenings, Bishop is running a coaching session for female players of any standard.

This is proving a very popular initiative indeed and anyone wishing to join needs to meet at the courts, also from 6pm.

Entries are also now open for the annual Battens Solicitors Charity Beach Volleyball Tournament, which will take place on Thursday, July 23.

A spokesperson for the event said: “This is the fun networking event of the summer, when members of the local business community, friends and colleagues are encouraged to come along and enjoy an evening on Weymouth’s golden beach.”