Riga help raise money at Cannons Invitational Tournament

08 June 2008

Riga were invited to the first Cannons Invitational Tournament on 8 June 2008. The aim of the day was to play lots of volleyball and to raise loads of money for Cancer Research UK.

Riga arrived bright and early on the Sunday morning despite some tired legs from those team members that had fought some battles in the Nottingham tournament (and in the rain!) the day before. The sun was shining and yes, you've guessed it, the tournament was indoors!!

After a brief run through of the rules, Leicester (tournamnet organisers) announced that to keep raising money for charity each service error during the day would result in a 10p fine for the team! This was sure to see Riga departing the tournament with significantly lighter wallets!! In addition there was a tombola in which the team enjoyed varying successes - Andy buying loads of tickets and winning nothing, Michele winning something she donated, Ginny winning four prizes and Clare and Chris winning the Noel Edmonds DVD brain game!

So on to the volleyball! Riga first drew Leicester. It was the first time this Riga team, consisting of Andy Collins, Cameron Rennie, Dan Turnbull, Chris Jones, Michele Peryer, Ginny Rennie and Clare Francis, had played together. However, the team soon found its form and started to add up the points. Each game was to consist of two sets timed at 15 minutes each so the pressure was on! After an ace from Cameron and some stong front court play from Dan and Chris Riga took the first set. A strong start in the second set with good defensive work from Cameron and strong attacks from Michele and the team soon had one game in the bag.

After refereeing, Riga then faced Hermitage. Good setting from Ginny and Clare allowed the team to find its rhythm and Dan, Chris and Michele to find all corners of the court. Riga took the first set. In the second set, Cameron showed he'd had too many cakes and racked the team up another 30 pence worth of fines with three serves long! However, he made up for it with two successive spikes finding the corners at 1 and 5 and the team closed the set out winners of the game.

Without a rest Riga took on Sheffield who had shown grit and determination in the earlier games. Some good passing and hitting from Andy and the team got off to a good start. Sheffield rallied out well and Riga finally took the first set. At the beginning of the second set disaster struck as the Sheffield setter set the ball wide of the net and their 4 hitter, in an attempt to reach the ball, clashed with the bolts on the post and sustained an injury to her foot. With her watching from the side lines the team pushed out, but Riga's form was improving with the passing going well and allowing each of the hitters to make a significant impact (and I think now is the time to mention that Chris, Dan and Andy were hitting over a women's height net!). Riga closed out the set to finish top of their division.

Riga were to play second placers from the other division in the semi-final. It was looking like that would be Loughborough Students. However, they then pulled off a win over Loughborough Dolphins which meant Riga faced Dolphins in the semi. The teams traded point for point with some superb back court pick ups from Andy and Dan. Riga found its attacking options with Chris and Michele converted Ginny and Clare's sets to keep the points coming. Time was running out and each team was eager to finish on top. However, as the whistle went Riga won the final point to make the set a 22-22 draw!! So it was all to play for in the second set. Riga pushed on, but some fast attacks from Dolphins saw them edge ahead. Riga kept pace and answered with some good solid play and strong hitting. However, time just ran out as Riga was starting its come back and Dolphins took the set and the semi-final by just 3 points! Dolphins went on to face Loughborough Students in the final and Dolphins were the overall winners of the tournament. Falcons were the winners of the plate.

It was a superb days volleyball which was well organised and even more importantly raised a great deal of money for charity. Many thanks to all those involved in the organising of the tournament. A great day all round. Also thanks to Cannons Health Centre who provided the courts free of charge to help raising money. And the most amazing part - Riga's service fines only added up to £1.30!!!

Michele receives serve	Cameron adopting Andy's ready position (see below!)
Chris goes round the Hermitage block	Andy serves without giving away 10p!
Errr - where's the ball?	Has Chris got his eyes open even?
Look at the concentration on Michele's face!!	Dan runs a middle attack
Ginny sets the ball	Andy in the ready position!
Chris passes is in the ball