WESSEX’S junior men managed to avoid relegation as they defeated City of Bristol 3-1 to secure eighth position in National League Division Two.

The drop looked a formality just three weeks ago, when the team was hit with a number of injuries and players being unavailable, but a 3-1 win at Sussex gave the side hope and a real chance of avoiding relegation.

And after hearing on Saturday of a New Forest defeat, a convincing win over City of Bristol was needed for Wessex to ensure they competed in the same division next season.

Revenge was no doubt on the Wessex players’ minds going into the game, having lost the reverse fixture.

But, backed by a large crowd, the hosts were more than capable of causing an upset against an in-form Bristol team.

Wessex raced into a 15-8 advantage, due to some excellent serving from Tom Ridge, Matt Hunter and Ryan Stout.

However, several lapses of concentration allowed Bristol to nearly mount a successful comeback, but Wessex just held on to take the set 25-21.

Hunter then scored seven points in succession to help Wessex secure the second set 25-14.

Bristol refused to to give up easily though, and several errors from Wessex saw their rivals take an early lead in the third set, before ultimately winning it 25-18.

It was now very much a case of game-on, as City of Bristol began to show why they are the division’s in-form side.

Four stunning serves from Sam Walrond, though, gave the home side impetus and Wessex drew level at 22-22.

In a nail-biting final few minutes, Bristol went into the lead, but Wessex pegged them back and then went into the lead thanks to a block by Stout and Hunter. Needing a point to avoid relegation, tensions were high but it was Bristol who were forced into a mistake, handing Wessex a 25-23 victory.

And with that, survival for next season was secured.

Wessex squad: Matt Hunter, Tom Ridge, Joel Roberts, Ryan Palmer, Ryan Stout, Tom MacArthur, Sam Walrond, Jordan Randall, Ryan Jones, Matt Pretty, Andrew Clayton.