(15/04/2000)
Warwick Riga took the glory and the plaudits as they defeated Liverpool in a drama packed EVA Shield Final at the National Volleyball Cup Finals in Sheffield on Saturday. The three-two victory gives the club its first ever National title and added a touch of polish to the end of their season. "Fantastic for the players. Fantastic for the club. A great reward for all the hard work everyone puts in," said a jubilant captain Tom Young afterwards. "Everyone did really well and I'm just happy to have been part of it," was the typically modest view of the game's Most Valuable Player, John Gilling of Riga.
However, the game was no one-sided affair and viewers of Sky Sports will see for themselves the rollercoaster ride that the team experienced before it could celebrate victory. The first set saw both sides in a nervous mood. Riga seemed to settle first and held the early lead, though more through Liverpool errors. The Scousers eventually roused themselves to level the scores at 14 each. Then more errors, this time from Warwick, sealed the fate of the set at 25 - 20 to Liverpool.
The second set found Liverpool in the early driving seat as they stretched out a 9 - 4 lead. For Riga, Dan Showler replaced an out-of-sorts Graham Duckett, who had risen from his sick bed to play in the match. However it was the serving of Pete Abraham that forced Warwick back into the set. Young and Gilling too played their parts as their side edged into the lead. At 15 each, Showler made his presence felt, first with some superb serving that opened up opportunities for the irrepressible Gilling and Young. Then he himself finished Liverpool off with the final two attacks in a remarkable 25 - 18 comeback.
Riga were now warmed to their task and set about Liverpool with a vengeance in the third. Five-nil up at the start through Showler, Abraham and Richard Meade, Warwick never looked back. Phil Wyles was magnificent in his orchestration of the Riga attack in which Young and Gilling were also prominent. Although they relaxed at the end to allow Liverpool more points than they deserved, the 25 - 20 victory was far more comfortable for Warwick than the margin suggests.
The fourth set began with some controversy. At two-nil to Liverpool, their captain Simon Guest served the ball into the net. It was then discovered that the ball used was not an official match ball. Despite Riga complaints, the point was replayed and Liverpool went further in front. With Warwick rattled, Liverpool took their chance to get back into the match, securing an 8 - 0 lead before their charge could be halted. More changes for Riga saw Duckett back in the fray and Ben Bunn replacing Richard Meade. The effect was slow to appear, but as the set drew to a conclusion it was Warwick who were the stronger. The result however was in little doubt as Liverpool closed out 25 - 18 to square the match.
All hinged on the deciding fifth set. Riga got off to a quick start, with Bunn and Gilling in early evidence. At 8 - 4 to Warwick the major work appeared done and a coast to victory seemed on the cards. But Liverpool would have none of it as they levelled the scores at 11 apiece. The tension was unbearable and the large crowd, won over to the Riga cause by some spectacular defensive scrambling throughout the match, was on the edge of their seats. Three Duckett attacks were only met with two responses from Liverpool's De Smet and set point was Warwick's. The end came quickly with a rapid fire Gilling attack that justified his Man-of-the-Match award. Fifteen-thirteen to Riga and glory was secured.
"I was proud of the lads today," said Young after the match. "Everyone played their part, not least our wee defensive man, Mark Fearn. He had a stormer. Whatever the result it was a grand way to kick-off the National Finals. I felt sorry for the Liverpool lads. They've been here before and ended up without anything, but in the end we deserved to win and boy are we going to celebrate."
Click here for team photo