(27/10/2001)
It may have been a Jekyll-and-Hyde performance but the three-one win over London Docklands enabled Riga to regain second spot in National League Division One on Saturday. The match at the St. Nicholas Park Leisure Centre, Warwick, saw the local side extend their unbeaten run to four games despite an at times rusty looking showing following their two week break.
Riga, still without the injured Colin Patterson, started the match in an off-colour mood that contrasted sharply with their perky visitors. Despite taking an early lead, Riga soon relinquished their advantage and became embroiled in an unfamiliar game of catch-up. Only Tom Spijkers and John Gilling made any impression for the home side as they trailed by a constant two points. When Docklands arrived at set point, the crowd pondered a redoubtable comeback. At 25 - 22, the answer was emphatic.
The wake-up call had now been made and the 25 - 17 drubbing Docklands received in the second set confirmed it had been received and understood. An early 5 - 1 lead for Riga was frittered away as concentration lapsed on the home side. Kees de Hoogh, Spijkers and Gilling all contrived to re-establish an advantage but it took captain Tom Young and the blocking force of Richard Meade and Phil Wyles to confirm control over the set at 21 - 13. From then on Docklands’ enforced errors and a closing Young block gave Riga victory.
The third set was equally emphatic as the home side quickly established a firm hold and never looked troubled. Young and de Hoogh were the main men as Riga ran out 25 - 15 winners.
When the local side took a 14 - 10 lead in the fourth set, the match looked safely consigned to their back pocket. Gilling, Spijkers and de Hoogh were again the men that did the damage. But Docklands were determined not to leave Warwick empty-handed. When they levelled the scores at 20 each, they were on the point of succeeding but de Hoogh, Spijkers and Young, with two superb closing finishes, sent them away with their tails between their legs at 25 - 22.
“A good win certainly, but I’d be the first to admit we didn’t play as well as we can,” said captain Tom Young afterwards. “Credit to Docklands for their performance. They stuck at their game but we were too up and down. The second and third sets showed the real us, not the other two.”