WESSEX are sending four teams to the National Cup’s Last 8’s in Kettering this weekend.

The Poole-based outfit are one of the most successful junior clubs in the country, with all four teams reaching the Last 8’s on a regular basis.

Their record in the junior men and boys competitions is second to none and overall Wessex have reached 58 finals, winning 33 national titles.

The under-18 men have cruised through their rounds so far and face Sheffield, Chelmsford and Nottingham in their pool.

Despite a fitness doubt over Andrew Clayton, coach Lynn Allen is confident that if the team play to their normal level, they will make the semis.

Under-18 men’s squad: MacArthur, Hunter, Clayton, Stout, Palmer, Abbott, Stoimenov, Arnold, Randall, Jones, Roberts, Davison.

n Having been runners-up in their second round group of the National Championships, the Wessex under-18 girls face a tough group, including two group winners, in the Last 8’s.

“If they can play to their best, they have a good chance of progressing to at least the semi-finals,” said Allen.

While Super 8’s and England junior internationals Annie Tinker and Megan Cheaney will provide Wessex with top-level firepower, it is the performance of the less experienced players that will make the difference.

Under-18 girls: Tinker (captain), McGrath, Cheaney, Gunter, Tuttiet, Crane, Olive, Littlefair, Nickless, Pandya, E Holton.

n Following excellent displays in the first two rounds, Wessex under-16 girls have also made it through to the Last 8’s tournament of the National Cup.

With five wins and only one defeat in qualifying, the girls will be taking good form into the Last 8’s, from which the national finalists will emerge.

The girls will need to keep up the form in a pool which includes previous champions Tameside (Manchester), North Riding Eagles and Barnett.

Wessex have a very young, inexperienced squad with bags of potential and they are led by Beth Gunter.

Under-16 girls: Gunter, Chitticks, McNeil, Merrifield, Wyatt, Eaton, Clarke, Solomon, Trigg, Heggs.

n The under-16 boys are the same team that won the National Under-15 Cup last season.

As national champions, they are one of the favourites for the title.

England cadet Joel Roberts is playing in both boys championships.

Half of the team have been training in Poole, while the other half were part of a squad who went to Landstede in Holland last week to see the professional side of volleyball.

Wessex player and Great Brit-ain libero Dan Hunter plays for Landstede, together with Great Britain setter Ben Pipes, and they organised the trip for the boys.

The under-16 boys play Wigan, Newcastle and Chadwell Heath.

Under-16 boys: Roberts, Van Wingerden, Loader, Allen, Anderton, Fullerton, Jones, Ballance, Torrens. Corbin, Walrond.