(26/03/2001)
Warwick Riga Men savoured the hors d’oeuvres of this year’s Shield Final with a three-nil victory over fellow finalists Liverpool in their last home fixture of the National League season at the St. Nicholas Park Leisure Centre, Warwick, on Saturday. "We know that the Final will be different," said captain Tom Young after the match. "In a one-off game, anything can happen but we’ve won the first important psychological battle. Liverpool will point to them being without one or two players but I’m confident we’ll beat them again in a fortnight." Champions-elect Malory gave Riga’s hopes of finishing fourth in Division One a boost by defeating Stoke three-nil. With Stoke’s last two matches being away to second-placed Portsmouth and Cup Finalists Wessex, the chances of them securing the required results to stay fourth look decidedly shaky.
The Liverpool match rarely got out of second gear. Indeed in the first set, a 9 - 6 lead for the visitors was more the result of Warwick inattention than decisive play by the Scousers. A tough-talking time-out had the desired effect on the Riga players as Kees de Hoogh, John Gilling and Tom Spijkers began to make amends for earlier laxity. Liverpool’s interest in the opening set ended at 25 - 18 thanks to some superb serving from Young and net play by Gilling.Set two began with neither side daring to take the lead but when a gap did open up it was Warwick who took the initiative. However they failed to capitalise on the initiative and Liverpool retained an active interest in the game. With spectacular rallies now punctuating the play, the crowd were warmed to the occasion. Again it was de Hoogh and Gilling who made the difference between the two teams but it was left to David Nason, in for the absent Richard Meade, to close the set 25 - 21.
Riga opened up an early lead in the third set and never relinquished it. Again Liverpool were allowed too much interest in the match as lack of Warwick concentration prevented them from firmly establishing authority over their visitors. However the home side had enough in reserve to see them home 25 - 22. Riga’s Women’s Division Two side experienced mixed fortunes on Sunday. A disappointing performance against Cleobury - a side they had defeated three-nil in some style earlier this season - resulted in a three-one reverse. However the single set achieved will be enough to secure them Second Division volleyball again next season. "We didn’t play well and, with a bare six players, we got what we deserved," commented captain Rachel McCarthy afterwards.Warwick’s National League season ends next weekend. The Men travel south to the already relegated Egham knowing that victory will keep the pressure firmly on Stoke in the side’s bid to achieve a record fourth place in the table. "We need to be fully focused against Egham," notes captain Tom Young. "Although they’re down, they recently won their first match of the season and they’ll be wanting to go out with a bang. We’ve also got to make sure we don’t play with one eye on Sheffield the week after and throw away our chance of fourth place."
Meanwhile the Women’s Division Two side complete their season at St. Nicholas Park Leisure Centre on Sunday when they play hosts to Loughborough (2pm). The visitors are still chasing promotion although their bid nearly came off the rails with a three-nil defeat by Riga earlier this year. "We want to go out with a grand finale," says McCarthy, "and another defeat of Loughborough is just the way to do it."