(11/12/1999)
If there was plenty for the crowd to cheer in Warwick Riga's last match before Christmas at the St. Nicholas Park Leisure Centre, Warwick, on Saturday, there was an absence of an early Christmas present for the National League Division One outfit. Visitors Aquila took the points in an exciting five-setter that saw some of the highest standard volleyball to grace Warwick this year. "No one likes losing, least of all me," said Riga captain Tom Young afterwards, "but both sides gave their all and it was a great game to play in as well as watch. I think we've turned our corner this season. Next year we'll soar."
Certainly Riga started the match on a high following three consecutive wins. Form said this would be a close encounter and as points traded evenly in the first set, the danger of a one-sided contest seemed remote. However Aquila's interest in the set owed as much to Warwick errors as their own efforts. As the set edged closer to its conclusion, Riga tightened their game. With John Gilling, Graham Duckett and captain Young turning the screw, Aquila capitulated 25 - 23.
The second set proved equally competitive as both sides warmed to their task and the large crowd's appreciation. At 14 apiece, the set seemed destined for a down-to-the-wire finish but then two errors followed by a fragile Warwick blocking spell gave Aquila a 21 - 15 advantage. Although Riga rallied with Dan Showler, Ben Bunn and Pete Abraham all weighing in with vital contributions, Warwick were always under pressure and eventually lost 25 - 22.
Set three had Aquila in the ascendancy. Once in the lead they maintained a three or four point advantage throughout the set. Riga's points came like crumbs from a table and mostly via Aquila errors. Only Duckett and the newly introduced Nigel Malone seemed capable of wresting points from the visitors through their own efforts. Warwick fought hard but with scant success and eventually went down 25 - 22.
If Aquila now thought the game was won, Riga had other ideas. Scaling new heights of performance the home team produced a demolition 25 - 16 result. As success replaced failure, Warwick's attack showed its full power and potency with Young, Gilling, Duckett and Malone firing on all cylinders. When Aquila did have the temerity to attack, they found the Riga defence resolute and led with determination by Mark Fearn. The victory was as deserved as it was emphatic.
The deciding fifth set can hinge on one vital play or a single error. In this case, a disputed net touch called against Warwick's Richie Meade proved the turning point. The referee's decision turned the score from a potential six each to 7 - 5 in Aquila's favour. Worse still the disruption it caused in the Riga camp allowed the visitors to take a determining 10 - 5 lead. As the set closed 15 - 9 to Aquila the disappointment was obvious.
"We didn't get off to a good start in the fifth and then came that decision," commented Young. "The result took the gloss off a fine all round performance from the lads."