National League Division 1, 14th December 2002, Warwick Riga v London
Docklands
Warwick Riga 1 London Docklands 3 (19-25 25-20 16-25 14-25)
Riga welcomed one of the top teams in the country to St Nicholas Park, the
Londoners boasting numerous full internationals a few of which coming from
extremely strong volleyball countries such as Germany and Poland. Coach
Tom Young knew his team would need to perform at their very best to stand any
chance of upsetting Docklands and with a good crowd behind them, the Riga
players gave their all!!
The first set started with both teams siding out extremely well which meant the
scores were tied at 7-7 Then England and Great Britain international Danny
Weemes unleashed a series of unstoppable hits which left the home side reeling
and having to recover a 6 point deficit which they were unable to do and
although playing extremely well, Docklands took the set 25-20
In the turn-round, player-coach Young wound his team up and they came out flying
in the second set and really took the match to Docklands and with some fantastic
hitting from De Hoogh and Paterson ,backed up by superb defence from backcourt
specialist Mark Fearn ,Riga opened up a sizeable lead which they never
relinquished and won the set 25-20
The third set saw some of the best volleyball of the match with both sides
really giving their all and the crowd thoroughly enjoyed some top quality
entertainment. However the Londoners slowly began to dominate the set and
their large squad also helped as England coach, Ian Legrand was able to switch
players in and out, resting individuals from time to time – a luxury Young
didn’t have. The set eventually slipped away 25-19 and the fourth was
pretty much a carbon copy of the third with Riga being slowly worn down.
Docklands took the fourth to 17 and the match 3-1
Young was far from dispirited at the end praising his players for an excellent
effort and performance, they just ran out of steam against a bigger, stronger
and in the end better team.
Riga finish this part of the campaign in 3rd place in National 1, which Young
believes is really a true reflection of their overall standing in the top flight
of English Volleyball.
Tom Young