Following the five-set thriller between Valletta Mapei and South End Volleyball Club earlier this season, last weekend's match between the same two teams promised to produce another entertaining clash for local volleyball enthusiasts.

Unfortunately for Mapei, their plans were hindered by the injury national team player Robert Balzan suffered recently.

After a slow start, Mapei claimed the first set 29-27. South End made a strong opening to the second set, building a substantial advantage.

Coaches Franco Debono, for Mapei, and South End's Kris Croker made use of all the time-outs available but Mapei's timid comeback proved futile with the second set ending 25-20 against them.

Mapei started the third set without spiker Louis Sciriha.

At first, his absence went unnoticed with national team players Paul Vella and Ron Stivala making the most of Owen Spiteri's sets. However, libero Bernard Bartolo, setter David Briffa and captain Patrick Felice Pace masterminded South End's rally and they closed the set 25-23 in their favour.

With a number of good services from Ian Wright and Malcolm St John, who managed to challenge libero Vince Pace's reception, the fourth and final set was a mere formality. South End closed the set and the match at 25-20.

Two games were played on Sunday from the women's league. Paola Hibs Candy won 3-1 against Playvolley and Fleur de Lys CFK just managed to have the better of Flyers 3-2.

Hibs lost the opening set 26-24 but relied on their most experienced players to overturn the deficit and win the match in the next three sets - 20-25, 22-25, 18-25.

Second-placed FDL battled hard to beat Flyers in five sets.

Lindsey Cordina and Amanda Muscat stood out for Flyers while Sara El Gazi and Sandra Bonnici had a very good performance for FDL who fought back to win the fourth set 25-11 and the final one 15-11 in a match that lasted over two hours.