(18/12/2000)
The Riga teams take a well earned break for Christmas this week but can take pride in their recent performances. Both the first teams have seen their standing rise in their respective tables, whilst the Women's second team is now starting to get to grips with life in the National League.
The Men's side, enjoying its third successive year in the First Division, has currently put together its best sequence of results in the top flight. The three-two victory over Polonia last week posted their fourth successive win. The result was even sweeter and more resonant as at one stage Polonia appeared to have an unassailable and match-winning lead. The climb to sixth in the League, equalling their best-ever finish, is fully justified and, in captain Tom Young's opinion, only the beginning. "Early season we came close but not close enough. We needed a win to turn the corner and when that came - an epic against Aquila - there's been no stopping us. The result against Polonia, both the performance and the spirit, showed to me that we are going places this season."
Going places is also the hope of women's first team captain Rachel McCarthy. Like the men, the women have been slow starters in Division Two. Just when it seemed they were always destined to lose in five sets, they turned their corner and the difference in confidence is patently obvious. "Our last match against bottom club Ashcombe showed the difference in us. We played with confidence and were never in trouble. Having Marinella Cadoni back at full strength has been a turning point but watch out for Roberta Olivieri. She's going to be a bit special in the weeks to come."
Some special performances will be on the minds of the Women's second team as they seek to extract themselves from the foot of Division Three. Having won the Birmingham & District League last season, the step-up was obvious if a little challenging. How challenging is reflected in the played six, won two record to date. "Playing in the National League, which most of us have done before, was always going to be tougher. The standard of opponents is more consistent week-on-week. Also playing two matches on the same day demands a lot on fitness and concentration," notes captain Virginia Rennie. "We know we've got to improve and we are getting there, so I don't see us at the bottom of the table at the end of the season."