DOCKLANDS captain Alexis Blair has urged his team-mates to bounce back following their defeat to reigning league champions Sheffield. The east London side lost to the current National Division One leaders on Sunday, having dispatched Middlesbrough the pre

DOCKLANDS captain Alexis Blair has urged his team-mates to bounce back following their defeat to reigning league champions Sheffield.

The east London side lost to the current National Division One leaders on Sunday, having dispatched Middlesbrough the previous day.

Outside hitter Blair is convinced the team has what it takes to compete at the business end of the table, starting with Saturday's clash against local rivals London Lynx at Bacon's College.

"After a good away win on Saturday, it was disappointing we couldn't sustain our early season promise," he said.

"We know we can compete and beat sides like Sheffield, we just need to step up when we need to.

"We can come back from this a stronger team and next week will be a good place to start."

Docklands started the game against Sheffield with promise and in a topsy-turvy first set Docklands eventually went down 25-22.

In the second set, the host's service pressure proved crucial and they won 25-18.

Docklands started the third set brightly and showed spirit, but it was all a little too late as another run of serves by Oliver Kimber piled the misery on and they finally succumbed 25-13.

In their previous match against Middlesbrough College on Saturday things went a lot more smoothly.

Boris Halatchev and Rafael D�rr starred for Docklands in a narrow 26-24 first set victory.

In the following set, Alex Chevau's Gallic flair and Ricardo Senatore's power gave the visitor's a win 25-22.

In a thrilling final set Dockland clinched victory 31-29.