Warwick Riga v London Malory, Men's National League Division 1, 13h
October 2002
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Riga's National League Division One season has hardly got
off to the sparkling start the team had hoped for. Indeed, their opening
two defeats against Stoke and London Docklands have raised a few eyebrows
in the volleyball fraternity. However, the prospect of an immediate
restart to their season looks remote as they entertain League Champions
Malory on Sunday at the St. Nicholas Park Leisure Centre, Warwick (2pm). A
match against the pre-eminent team of the last decade is a difficult one
even if your team is in form. In Riga's current doldrums, it becomes a
gargantuan task. |
 Phil Wyles
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That task will hardly be made easier with the unavailability of playmaker
Phil Wyles. The England squad member is away on family business and the
absence of his skills will undoubtedly dampen the fires of a stuttering Riga
attack. His place could well be filled with defensive specialist Mark Fearn
provided he recovers from his ankle injury in time. Fearn filled in for
Wyles at the Whitefield tournament two years ago when Wyles himself was
injured. Fearn acquitted himself with distinction on that occasion and the
Riga team will be hoping for a repeat performance on Sunday. However, Riga
suffered from the lack of Fearn's defensive capabilities against Docklands,
especially his service reception, and his move to playmaker may be rendered
superfluous if that service reception is again exposed. |
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"With the injuries we've suffered and the players we've lost out of the
squad this year, we're definitely up against it," says Riga skipper Tom
Young. "Phil's absence is another blow but we've got nothing to lose against
Malory and everything to gain, so we might as well go out and give it all
we've got." |
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Malory have already made an impressive start to this season's campaign and
it is difficult to see past them for this term's top dogs. Packed as they
are with England internationals and coached by ex-England Head Coach
Jefferson Williams, they rank as formidable opponents. Riga, currently a
shadow of the side that finished third last season, will have their work cut
out just to compete with their visitors. Any dreams from last term of
overturning Malory look certain to remain just that, at least for another
season. |
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John Boughton |