SKIPPER Dan Hunter led from the front as newly-promoted Wessex LeAF BU opened their Super 8s campaign with a 3-1 win over London Lynx.

Wessex, boasting new signings Phil Smith, Oli Kimber, Koko Stoimenov, Andrea Ivanov and Rob Flay, hit back after losing the first set.

Captain Hunter, an experienced international and London 2012 competitor, said: “We have a great team this season but must learn to focus point by point to make sure we show our true ability. I am proud of the way the boys turned it around in the last three sets.”

Although 16-year-old Nathan Fullerton and Carl Butcher helped Wessex close the gap in the opener, London Lynx went on to triumph 26-24.

Strong serving and setting helped Wessex take an 8-5 lead in the second with Flay and Hunter instrumental, while big blocking from Smith and Stoimenov shut out Lynx as the hosts levelled 25-17.

Big hitting from Kimber saw them win the third set 25-11 before a big attack from Hunter and good work from Flay and Stout saw them complete victory with a 25-17 set victory.

  • Wessex Rocare began their Super 8 campaign with a 3-1 defeat against London-based Swiss Cottage.

Rocare started well with Vicky Palmer, Jess Grimson, Annie Tinker, Gemma Beddows, Lizzie Smith, Natalia Jutkiewicz and Sarah Palmer winning the first set 25-22.

In the second, Swiss Cottage showed their dominance in attack and, although Rocare fought well, the visitors levelled with a 25-20 win.

Despite taking a 5-0 lead in the third, Rocare allowed Swiss Cottage to draw level at 21-21 and go on to take the set 28-26 before a one-sided fourth set saw the visitors complete victory.