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The Riga Men’s National League Division One campaign comes to a close at the weekend with their trip to London for the match against Tooting Aquila on Saturday. With an outside chance to claiming second place in the table, nothing less than a win will suffice. "We know we’re not in charge of our own destiny," says captain Tom Young, "but if we’re to give Docklands a run for their money, we’ve got to beat Aquila." |
| A late Docklands surge up the table has seen them nick second place from Riga on sets difference. That advantage means that whatever Riga do on Saturday will achieve nought if Docklands beat Portsmouth who are set to field a weakened team having been denied a re-arrangement. The controversy over that fixture will run but does little to subdue the anger felt by Young and his team. "There’s no denying Docklands have put a good run together of late, including beating us at their place," says Young. "But to virtually hand them their last match makes a mockery of the competition – and that’s been excellent up to now." |
| Certainly Riga will face a combative opposition in the form of Aquila at the weekend. For a while this season, the once League Champions had been battling against relegation. However those fears have eased and they will be out to enjoy themselves in their final matches. Having beaten Riga earlier this term at Warwick, Aquila can be the only side other than current Champions Malory to do the double over their visitors this season. |
| So it is a game that Riga are desperate to win on two counts. "We know Aquila can be a tricky side to play against," acknowledges Young. "We thought we had them up here but they came back to beat us fair and square. We’ve had some right old ding-dongs in the past against them and I’m sure Saturday will be more of the same. I know our lads are up for it, so it should be a cracker." |
| Riga’s Women’s Division Three side also bring their season to a close with the trip to Essex to play Brentwood and Oxford Students. This term has been hard going for the team as inconsistency has dogged their performances. Hovering as they do just outside the re-election zone, a win on Sunday will remove as doubts over their National League status. "We’ve won games that I didn’t think we would but we’ve also lost ones that we should have won," agrees coach Sarah Halling. "Whatever happens on Sunday, it’s something we’ve all got to work on for next season." |