(08/12/2001)
Malory 3 Warwick Riga 0 (25-16, 25-17, 25-19)
There was no fairy tale visit to the capital for Riga last Saturday as they fell to their third successive defeat in National League Division One at the hands of reigning Champions Malory. The loss also finds them ending 2001 in fourth place – a significant improvement on a year ago but down on recent expectations.
Malory start the majority of their games with a huge psychological advantage, packed as their side is with England and Great Britain internationals. For Riga coming off the back of a poor showing against second-placed Portsmouth and a frustrating loss to Aquila that advantage was even greater. So it was no surprise when Malory established a three-point lead in the first set and steadily accelerated away from their visitors. Riga did show the occasional flash of potential but in the end only John Gilling could emerge from the 25 – 16 mauling with any pride in his performance.
Despite changes in the Riga line-up which saw Graham Duckett, Mark Bottomley and Colin Paterson enter the fray, Malory again established a healthy gap between the two sides in the second set. When fine play by Duckett and Gilling almost brought the scores back to parity at 13 - 14, hopes were raised. However whilst hope springs eternal, Riga’s reservoir was about to run dry. Malory were in no mood to be troubled and responded in style. England internationals Watson and Carr turned on the power and turned out the light for Riga who ended on the wrong side of the 25 – 17 score line.
The third set had Riga in the lead for the first time in the match. First some excellent serving from Paterson extracted a series of unforced errors from the Champions for Riga to lead 10 – 7. Then a series of powerful finishes from Kees de Hoogh took them further ahead at 14 – 10. This once more roused the sleeping giants and allied to a series of Riga errors, the Champions were soon back in front. Try as they might there was now no way back for Riga and at 25 – 19, the Champions claimed their first double of the season.
"There’s giving teams respect and giving them too much respect," said skipper Tom Young afterwards. "We showed too much respect to Malory today. We got off the bus expecting to lose and we did. The last couple of games have knocked our confidence and we need to get that back and quick. We’ve had a great season so far despite the last three weeks’ results. We just need to believe in ourselves again. One win will make a huge difference at the minute."
Riga‘s opportunity to get that confidence-boosting victory will arrive sooner than later with their third round K.O. Cup tie against Wessex. Despite being down the bottom of the Division One table, Wessex won the Cup last year, defeating local rivals and perennial bridesmaids Portsmouth. However since those heady days they have lost a number of key players. Although they have welcomed back into their fold the immensely talented Danny Weemes, he lacks the support of players around him who can capitalise on his undoubted ability. Having already lost to Riga in the League, Wessex will be anxious not to surrender their Cup title as well.
"It’s an important game for both teams," confirms Young. "For the winner, it restarts their season. For the loser, it marks the beginning of the end of theirs. Whoever wins, they have a great chance of making the Final – and our sights are set on that."