SOLENT must play a waiting game to see if they will be crowned champions of the National Men's Volleyball League Division 3 West.

Having finished the season with double victory at Fleming Park, their destiny depends on the teams below them playing out their games in hand between now and the end of March.

On paper Solent had a couple of easy games to end with, yet they made heavy weather of beating Bristol opponents Whitefield 3-2.

The league leaders were unconvincing, taking the first set 25-17 and, with setter Neal Pattenden struggling to find form, lost the second 25-23.

Things went from bad to worse in the third as Solent slipped behind and never closed the gap again, allowing Whitefield to take it 25-22.

The thought of stumbling at the last hurdle on their promotion trail spurred Solent to life in the fourth set. Rediscovering their class and composure, they swept the visitors aside 25-12 with Darren Sampson and James Kemp leading the way.

Solent's record of never having lost a fifth set this season served them in good stead in the decider as they held their nerve to take it 15-12.

The south coast side set about their business right from the off against Wessex II, winning the first set 25-10 with Kees de Groot passing and hitting well. Set two was closer as Solent eased up but, with their defence working well, they still proved too strong for Wessex to win it 25-18.

A lapse in concentration allowed Wessex to take the third set 25-19, but Solent were determined not to have their end-of-season party ruined and forged ahead in the fourth set, scoring six straight points on De Groot's serving.

In a fitting finale, coach Ashley Cullen went on for a cameo appearance at 21-12 and it was he who scored the last point with a pummelling hit to seal the set 25-17 and the match 3-1.

It leaves Solent heading the table with 48 points. Now they must sit tight to see if any of their three closest rivals - Guildford Internatinal, Bridend and Chiltern Aces - can catch them.