THE 38th Weymouth Beach Classic came to a dramatic end on Sunday afternoon with a nail-biting finish in the final.

First time winners Pierre Tang Taye and Andreas Maggio took the Men's title 2 sets to 1 (21-18, 17-21 18-16) from Cole Durant and Aldo Perio.

The final was always going to be close, however Australian international Cole Durant and Aldo Perio came into the match as favourites, but struggled to get control in the first set and lost 21-18.

However in the second set they came fighting back and Durant’s height at the net dominated the set as they won 21-17. This set up the dramatic deciding set; the teams went point to point all the way through until Tang-Taye and Maggio were able to dominate the serve and take the title 18-16.

In the Women's final the Scottish pair of Mel Coutts and Lyn Beattie took the title just two weeks before they compete for in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, defeating Lisa Williams and Laura Buganari from Brighton. They didn’t do it without a scare when Mel Coutts twisted her ankle in the semi final and there was some doubt about whether she would be able to play in the final. However she came out for the match and she and Lynn Beattie dominated the match against their younger opponents to run out winners 21-17, 21-13.

The most successful Weymouth player was Valdis Baranovs who finished in 9th place in the Men's competition with his partner Radu Florescu, and Elina Treija who also finished 9th in the Women's event.

The finals came at the culmination of three days of spectacular volleyball played in sweltering conditions.

The top 16 Men's and Women's teams in England took part and provided spectacular action for the supporters around the purpose-built Centre Court.

The organisers were delighted with how the event went and event Directors Pete Bennett and Graeme Sawyer said: “The event went really well despite the heat and we have been able to maintain our position as the most prestigious event in the country despite an ever growing list of competitions in different locations around England.

“We have had great support from the members of Weymouth Beach Volleyball Club who have worked tirelessly throughout the week.

“We must also thank ‘We Are Weymouth’ and Weymouth Town Council without whose help we couldn’t put this event on.”