(07/04/2001)
A triumphant Warwick Riga retained their National Shield title in Sheffield on Saturday with a comprehensive three-nil whitewash of last season’s opponents Liverpool. "Everyone did us proud today," said a happy captain Tom Young afterwards, "We were never in any real trouble and that shows how far we’ve developed this season."
However at the start of the match, it all looked so different. Installed as pre-match favourites, the unusual elevation in status appeared to stifle Warwick’s fluency in the early stages. Liverpool took full advantage and a 10 - 6 lead. A judicious time-out calmed the team’s nerves and with the ship steadied, Riga set about cutting a clear channel through the Mersey-siders. With David Nason on service, a series of soul-destroying blocks from John Gilling, Phil Wyles and Kees de Hoogh soon had Warwick back in charge. When Tom Spijkers joined in the fray, Liverpool’s early hopes lay in tatters at 11 - 18. The only way the Scousers appeared to score points now was from Riga lapses but the end came with an unforced Liverpool mistake at 25 - 17.
First blood again fell to Liverpool in the second set but this time Warwick were not in the mood to let them gain a significant toehold on the game. As libero Mark Fearn organised a parsimonious Riga defence, first Gilling, then Spijkers mounted the pressure on Liverpool, which led to numerous unforced errors. Despite this the Scousers remained a stone’s throw behind Warwick who had to rely on some powerful finishing by Richard Meade and Gilling to finally see off the Merseyside challenge 25 - 21.
Set three was over almost as soon as it had started. De Hoogh and Gilling made hay off Wyles’ serving and Riga were soon in clear water at 5 - 0 up. When captain Tom Young, a strong contributor throughout, and Spijkers bolstered their efforts Liverpool were left looking for crumbs at 10 - 2. Only after Dan Showler made sure Warwick were cruising to victory did the pace let up and the Scousers achieved some respectability in the score line. However their interest in this year’s National Shield Final ended at 25 - 18. "After last season, I didn’t think things could get better," said an elated Young. "How wrong can you get. Fourth in Division One - our best ever finish - and another Shield win. Absolutely fantastic. I can’t wait to see what we’ll do next season!"
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