Five-set win over Worthing, then defeat to Cardiff Panthers
Portsmouth United Volleyball Club beat Worthing 3–2 and lost 1–3 to Cardiff Panthers on its first National Volleyball League (NVL) match day in Southsea.
Key facts
-
11:00
Portsmouth United Volleyball Club v
WorthingM3SW-1a
WWon, Sets3–2- Set 1 25–22
- Set 2 25–20
- Set 3 20–25
- Set 4 22–25
- Set 5 15–11
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15:00
Portsmouth United Volleyball Club v Cardiff PanthersM3SW-1c
LLost, Sets1–3
- Set 1 12–25
- Set 2 25–23
- Set 3 24–26
- Set 4 20–25
- Set 5 – not played
Set scores: home team’s points first.
We won one and lost one on our first NVL match day, on Saturday 3 October 2026 at Priory Community Sports Centre. We beat Worthing 3–2 in five sets in the morning, then lost 1–3 to Cardiff Panthers in the afternoon.
It was a proud day for a club founded in Portsmouth in 2022 and made up of players from many backgrounds.
Five sets against Worthing
We started with confidence against Worthing, taking the first two sets 25–22 and 25–20.
Worthing raised their level in the third and won it 20–25, then took the fourth 22–25 to level at 2–2. Credit to them for a strong comeback that made us dig in.
The deciding set, played to 15 points, was level for much of the way. We found the extra points when they mattered most and took it 15–11.
Our MVP was Chris Puebla, our opposite, who was a consistent attacking threat throughout the game.
Cardiff Panthers take the second game
Cardiff Panthers, formerly of Division 2, set the tone early and took the first set 12–25. We came back strongly in the second, with our attack finding its rhythm and our defence staying consistent, to win it 25–23.
The third set started well for us and went to extra points, but Cardiff Panthers showed real determination to edge it 24–26. They carried that into the fourth and won it 20–25 to take the game 3–1.
Our MVP was Gonzalo Bartayres, our middle blocker, who blocked with real skill and aggression at the net.
Plenty to build on
Thank you to Worthing and Cardiff Panthers for two hard-fought games, to the referees, and to everyone who came to Southsea to support us.
A special thank you to Drame Ousmane and URBOND for their support and encouragement. URBOND is a Portsmouth charity that brings people of all backgrounds together and supports young people through sport, mentoring and education. Its work helps people across our city feel at home and gives young people real opportunities to grow.
A five-set win and a set taken off a former Division 2 side give us plenty to build on.
What’s next
We’re on the road next, on Saturday 17 October 2026, against Southampton 2 and Wiltshire Mavericks at Itchen College Sports Centre.
- 12:00 Southampton 2 v Portsmouth United Volleyball ClubM3SW-5a
- 14:00 Portsmouth United Volleyball Club v Wiltshire MavericksM3SW-5b
Our first season in Division 3 was always going to test us, and we were without some of our players. Even so, the team showed real quality across both games.
Many shores. One team.
