Volleyball: Champions still struggling

Scottish men's volleyball champions City of Edinburgh face a battle just to reach the play-offs after losing 17-25, 25-20, 27-29, 16-25 at leaders Kilmarnock Blaze.

It was City's fourth loss in the league this season and player-coach Barry McGuigan admitted: "We can't afford to drop any more points and it's going to be a case of backs against the wall for a while until we can get back up to full strength.

"The goal at the minute is to keep our heads above water for a play-off slot, get back up to full strength then take everyone on from there."

City were still without Ben Hunter but Simon Hammond, Graham Riddle and Paolo Puggioni all returned at Kilmarnock. Edinburgh had their chances in the pivotal third set which Kilmarnock won on a disputed set point.

The champions also led by four points in the fourth before being held at 10-10.

McGuigan has signed American student Phil Tully and former Team Fife middle player Paul Johnson in an attempt to turn it around.

Edinburgh Jets lost 14-25, 25-16, 25-19, 19-25, 11-15 to Dundee at St Augustine's High but Jets' women came from two sets down to beat North Lanarkshire 25-27, 23-25, 25-17, 27-25, 15-12.