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By Fraser Band
Last weekend’s AMAZING weather gave the 30th Scottish Open Volleyball Tournament everything they needed for a spectacular weekend of volleyball. The constant rays of the sun and cloudless skies was the stuff of foreign climes and gave the usual campers a warm and sunny welcome to Perth. The multi-coloured array of almost 200 tents on the North Inch, coupled with the distinctive Perth skyline that included the spire of St Matts, set the scene for a tournament which had a friendly festival vibe.
One hundred and five teams from all over the UK and continental Europe descended on the North Inch to savour what was without doubt the best ever SOVT. The Small Countries Division International Beach Volleyball competition added a new dimension to the tournament, and with local hero Seain Cook competing along with Connor Boyle and Mitchell Brown, both products of Kinross Volleyball Club, the men’s competition attracted lots of local attention.
It wasn’t all play though; the Saturday evening "Volley Hoolley" had all the foreign players joining in the Scottish dances with Faroe Islanders, Belgians, French and German players fully entering the spirit of the weekend.
The Serious Matter of Sport
Men's division one saw the Kilmarnock Leg Ends come out on top with Aberdeen side Jedziemyz Cyganami in runners' up slot and Kelty Chiefs in third position.
Men's division two had the Livinston Lizards in top spot beating the Blue Jays in their final with Kinross lad, Mark Cathro's Ferry Flamingoes winning the consolation competition.
The Green Machine from Dumfries won men's division three edging past Lauder based Scared Hitless with The Laird Presents Hit Faced Part Deux from Falkirk taking the consolation.
In the women's competition Livingston Lizards failed to make it a double, losing out to Carnoustie's Volleybrawlers with Monkys from Whitley Bay winning the consolation.
Fellow north of England side Keemon Haughton won mixed division one beating Aberdeen side That's What She Set, Edinburgh Bananas taking the consolation.
Local side Everest Inn overcame Old Hobbits Die Hard in mixed division two with Jets Lorn winning the consolation.
The mixed division three title went to Aggie's Army, runners up being the Grass Monkeys from Dumfries, Livingston Lizards winning the consolation.
As well as the usual thrill of the SOVT, the International Beach competition for men and women drew in the crowds with over 6 tonnes of sand shipped onto the Inch for the occasion!
Locals cheered all the way when Perth boy Seain Cook was crowned in gold medal position along with partner Robin Myedzybrodzki just pushing Scotland's top seeds McLeod and McHardy into second place. In the women's final it too was an all Scottish final featuring Lynn Beattie with partner Mel Coutts taking on a strong Anneka Hastings/ Shauna Myedzybrodzki pairing with the latter taking the honours making it a husband and wife double for Robin and Shauna.
What a result, what a competition what a weekend for Perth, for Scotland and for volleyball.
Gallery Photographer: Fraser Band is one of Perth’s most well-known sports photographers and has been capturing all of our biggest sporting moments since he started out in the nineties. His work can be viewed over on his website here >>
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