Warwick Riga lost their first match of the season against London Malory, last year’s champions in the National Volleyball League Division 1, at St. Nicholas Park Sport Centre in Warwick. The high expectations before the game were not quite met on court as both teams, unbeaten so far, played some excellent volleyball but at times allowed play to become a little ragged. Malory just had the edge & the greater mental strength when it came to the crucial points in all 3 sets which turned out to be the deciding factor.
De Hoogh: started well
In the first set Riga took an early lead of 3 points. Despite that lead being reduced to one in the middle of the set, the home side kept the initiative and seemed in charge of the set. Phil Wyles and Kees de Hoogh were playing very well and a relatively large number of missed serves did not seem to affect the home team. However, when the opportunity presented itself to Malory, the visitors took their chance and with it the set after Riga had failed to win the opener having had two set points at 25-24 and 26-25 (27-29).
The second set showed a similar pattern and Riga took an early lead (10-8) which was slowly chipped away & by the middle of the set Malory held a 3 point lead, (16-19). The Warwick side showed their determination & how much progress they have made when they won the next few important points and brought the score back to 21-21. Unfortunately at this critical juncture of the match, Andy Lynn fell chasing a ball & injured his ear quite badly during a mammoth rally which could have edged the home boys in front. Coach Tom Young had no alternative but to substitute him for Chris Anderson at 21-22 when the set still hung in the balance. Malory sensed their chance to close out the set & after a few more fiercely contested points they once again edged out the set by a mere 2 points much to Riga’s frustration.
Malory started the third set more decisively and took a small lead early in the set. The visitors increased the advantage to 4 points after which Andy Lynn came back in the game for Tom Spijkers (13-17). The substitution had the required effect and Riga came back to within two points (19-21) from their opponents. But the Londoners showed their intention when they also won the third set after some difficult serves towards the end (22-25).
Lynn: returned to game
Coach Tom Young and his team were hugely disappointed afterwards to have come so close yet again but fall agonisingly short right at the end. "We did not take our chances when we should have", he said, "and Malory obviously did". "I think that both teams can play better volleyball, I know for sure that we can, and this match showed that we need to be more decisive at the crucial moments of a match. Malory did not make any mistakes towards the end of all sets and therefore deserved to win this match." He finished on a more positive note and added, "We will play them again this season and we have learned an important lesson for the coming matches which could have greater significance than the one played today". Warwick Riga will play their next game away against Polonia London on Sunday 30 November. The next home match at St. Nicholas Park will be on 6th December against Leeds (5.30 pm warm up for 6 pm start of the match).