SOLENT'S men are still doing the club proud in Division 2 of the National League despite a slender 3-2 defeat by Thames Valley at Sholing Technology College.

With four wins out of six, they are lying joint second - a remarkable achievement considering they only just won promotion last term and their main priority was simply to stay up.

There has never been any love lost between Solent and Thames Valley and the hosts wasted no time jumping into a 9-5 first-set lead.

Thames battled back to 24-24, but Solent won it 26-24.

From 7-7 in the second set, Solent conceded seven straight points and eventually lost the set 25-23.

After they lost the third 25-9, coach Matt Cordrey-Gale brought on the experienced Simon Golding.

With Golding and Nik Harding keeping them in touch, Solent forced a decider by winning 26-24.

Solent hadn't lost a fifth set all season but let slip an 8-6 lead to lose 15-12.

Solent's next action is a home cup game on Saturday week against Guildford International.