Coventry Evening Telegraph, 4th February 1999
| The National League Division One table confirms Riga's
emergence from the relegation doldrums in to the tranquillity of mid-table
security.
Their recent run of fine results has not only established the side firmly in the top flight but has also marked them out as difficult opponents. "A lot of teams struggle in their first season in Division One,'' says captain Tom Young. "For a while we were no exception but then we hit a purple patch and that's raised a few eyebrows around the country. There'll be a few teams now that won't be relishing a match against us." Indeed Riga's triumphant season is far from over, even if relegation worries are now banished. However, fixtures have conspired to give them a well deserved break and one that should sort out a couple of niggling injury problems. "Graham Duckett's ankle is improving all the time and big Richie Meade now has some time to sort out his back problem," confirms Young. "Having said that Danny Showler and Ben Bunn have been more than adequate replacements in the side. So when everyone's fit there'll be plenty of healthy competition for places." With Riga's Men's season on temporary hold, the spotlight falls on the Women's National League side. Ideally placed before last Sunday to make the final push for promotion out of Division Three, they suffered a setback to their hopes. Having disposed of Sheffield by three sets to one, they came a cropper 3-0 against Cambridge who must now be favourites to take the title. Riga now have it all to do and the crunch will come in a fortnight at the St Nicholas Park Leisure Centre, Warwick, when they meet Manchester United and Loughborough who are vying with them for second slot. "We were disappointed with our performance against Cambridge," said Coach Martin Warman. " Although Cambridge played well, we didn't reach the heights we're capable of. Too many nerves I think. "Still, we can get back in contention if we beat Manchester and Loughborough and I still believe we'll be in there come the end of the season." |