TENDRING Volleyball Club want to reclaim their Kings of Essex crown.

The Frinton-based side are preparing for an eagerly-anticipated derby against rivals Essex Blaze, on Tuesday night.

The match is being streamed live on-line, complete with commentary, and first serve at the Essex University sports centre is 8pm.

Blaze are one place and one point better off than their coastal neighbours, in division one of the National League.

They also have the added kudos of having won the first match between the sides 3-0, back in early November.

However, Tendring are determined to wrestle their crown back and will have been buoyed by last week’s 3-1 success against London Knights (25-15, 21-25, 26-24, 25-22).

“It’s going to be interesting,” said club chairman and player Alex Porter.

“It’s a derby game and we’re really up for it.

“There’s already been lots of talk about the game and a bit of banter between the players.

“Blaze have no game this weekend, so we can go ahead of them if we win our match against Birmingham, on Saturday.

“That would give us an extra boost and we’re also fired up because they beat us earlier in the season.

“It was one of our worst performances so far.

“We were really short on players and they took full advantage.

“Tuesday gives us a chance to put the record straight and reclaim our title as the best team in Essex.”

Tendring will warm up for the derby with a fixture against Birmingham, at Tendring Technology College, in Frinton, on Saturday.

First serve is at 1pm.

“It’ll be another tricky game because Birmingham have shot up the table after winning their last four matches,” said Porter.

Last week’s match saw a welcome return for skipper Stuart Dove, who has missed the last five months after rupturing a tendon in his toe.

Dove featured very briefly in the club’s recent National Shield victory against the Manchester Marvels.

Saturday was his proper, full comeback, though, and he suffered no adverse reaction.

“He played very well,” said Porter.

“He needs to work on his fitness, because he’s been out for so long and didn’t expect to play again this season.

“He’d written it off.

“But having him available earlier than expected is amazing news for us.”