Riga face a tough test in the capital

Warwick Courier, 28th February 1996
 
WARWICK Riga visit London for their penultimate National Volleyball League Division One match against champions-elect Mizuno Malory Lewisham on Saturday.

Riga travel safe in the knowledge that only a remote mathematical possibility will deny them a place in the top flight next season.

"We don't want to think about relegation at all," said Riga captain Tom Young. "After last season, when we struggled, we've proved this time we can survive We can do better but for the first time in the club's history we've retained our Division One place on merit."

Malory will certainly test Riga as they boast a squad packed with Great Britain and England internationals which makes it no surprise that they have been undisputed champions for the last six years and look set to make it a near record seventh.

They have only dropped seven sets in 12 matches this season so an upset is pretty unlikely. However, Warwick will be seeking to improve on last year's performance when they lost 3-0 and only won 13 points.

Playing the top of the table and especially a team like Malory takes all the pressure off you, " added Young. "They're the ones expected to win and win handsomely. Anything less than that and they'll be unhappy. "

"Three years ago we took a set off them when we were bottom of the table and it made the back page of the Times newspaper."