M1 - ONLY Undeated team in NVL Division 1
NVL Division 1, 13 October 2007
3-2 (23-25, 22-25, 25-20, 25-22, 16-14)
Match Report by Dan Turnbull
Last weekend saw the only 2 undefeated teams left in NVL Div 1 come face to face. London Docklands travelled to Coventry as 2006 / 07 league and cup winners but have experienced mixed fortunes at Riga’s home venue over the past few seasons.
The first set started at a frantic pace, with Docklands coming out of the starting blocks the quicker, establishing a 6-2 lead. Riga weren’t helping themselves as they made numerous service errors gifting easy points to Docklands. As the set progressed Riga began playing themselves into the match with impressive kills from both Chris Anderson’s and Kees de Hoogh, however Docklands early lead proved too great and they were able to side out to take the set.
Errors by Docklands and a far more confident Riga side meant it was Riga that held the early lead in set 2, with Docklands being forced into the early time out. An impressive display of power from both sides meant the scores remained close up to 18-18. A Riga error, followed by a Docklands kill gave the visiting team the two point advantage that proved crucial, as Docklands took the second set 25-22, leaving Riga facing the prospect of a 3-0 home defeat.
Manuele Monti replaced John Gilling at the start of the third set as Riga looked to save the match. The set was evenly balanced at 7-8 when the Docklands setter was called for a carry, disrupting the sides’ concentration. 3 more errors followed, then a block from Dan Turnbull, meant Riga had taken full advantage of the situation leading 11-8. The momentum was now with Riga as they were able to extend the lead taking the set 25-20.
Looking to take the match into a deciding fifth set, Riga took an early 4-0 lead in the forth. A lead they were never to relinquish, despite Docklands Riginelli seeming killing every ball given to him. A service run from de Hoogh saw Riga take an 18-14 lead before Docklands fought back levelling at 20-20. A kill from Turnbull, followed by two consecutive Docklands errors gifted Riga a lead at 23-21. Riga took the set 25-22.
An ace from Phil Wyles and early scores from Chris ‘Kiwi’ Anderson and de Hoogh gave Riga the perfect start to the fifth set a 3-1 lead. Two more kills, this time both from ‘Eng’ Chris Anderson meant that Riga held a slender 8-6 lead at change of ends. Then disaster, three service errors in a row, coupled with three hitting errors, gave Docklands easy sideouts, gifting them a 12-10 lead at a critical time. Kills from de Hoogh & ‘Eng’ Anderson stopped the rot before a ‘monster‘ block from Monti on Docklands MVP Riginelli tied the scores at 13-13. Another point from ‘Eng’ Anderson gave Riga their first match point, which Docklands saved. But two hitting errors from Docklands gave Riga the set and the match sparking wild celebrations.
To quote the Docklands website :-)
‘Riga can currently boast to be the strongest club in the country after their ladies team beat Swiss Cottage 3-0. Both Riga teams are now the only teams in the top divisions to still have 100% records.’
MVP was awarded to Chris ‘Kiwi’ Anderson.
Riga Squad: Chris A (UK), Chris A (NZ), Kees, John, Dan, Phil W, Manuele, Luca, Tom S, Tomasz
Coach: Tom Young
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