WESSEX Junior Men put the disappointing loss to New Forest behind them with a return to form against Sussex Dolphins in the National League Division Two.

The Dorset-based team overcame their relegation rivals by three sets to one in a crucial basement battle. Wessex had lost by a similar scoreline to New Forest in their previous outing.

Wessex had beaten Sussex at home earlier in the season but the Dolphins were fielding a stronger and more experienced team at their Burgess Hill venue.

Wessex, however, were handicapped by injuries to middle men Matt Pretty, Andrew Clayton and Mitch Abbott.

It looked an uphill task for Wessex’s seven-man squad with an average age of 17 but Clayton, despite his injury, offered to play the backcourt role of libero to help out.

Matt Hunter, meanwhile, had to switch to middle from his preferred outside position.

Wessex drew first blood with Tom MacArthur, Ryan Stout and Tom Ridge starring in a 25-18 victory in the opening set.

The hosts, however, drew level by winning the next set 30-28 before Wessex took command of the match.

Sam Walrond came on to improve the backcourt and give some accurate hitting on the left, while Joel Roberts dominated with power hitting as Wessex claimed a 25-21 win in the third set.

And the visitors sealed the points with a 25-21 success in the following set.

Wessex: Matt Hunter, Tom Ridge, Ryan Stout, Andrew Clayton, Sam Walrond, Joel Roberts, Ryan Palmer, Tom MacArthur.