Volleyball: Champions City of Edinburgh move fast to fill the gaps

City of Edinburgh have become victims of their own success after winning their first men's Scottish Volleyball League championship.

On the eve of the new season, they have lost two of their biggest home-grown talents as they launch the defence of their title. Colin Macnab has won a contract to play and coach with AS Cannes in the south of France and setter Gavin Watt is also in France, having signed for Amiens.

Player-coach Barry McGuigan admits that, while it is good for the players, it is not so good for the team. "I had seen these moves coming during the summer so started to source some other players to fill the gaps," he said. He has promoted Jamie McHardy from City's second team and also brought in Loughborough setter George Petrakos.

Offsetter Paolo Puggioni has been recruited from city rivals Edinburgh Jets and beach player Robin Miedzybrodzki returns to his former club in a short-term deal. McGuigan will not stop there and there is the chance of at least one more player coming in within the next week or so and maybe a couple more after Christmas.

"I don't know if we can top what we did last season but we will certainly give it a go," he said. "We are beginning to gel after last weekend's win in the Dynamo Cup but there is still lots of work to do but we are getting there."