National League Division 1, 12th April 2003, Newcastle (Staffs) v Warwick Riga
Newcastle (Staffs) 3 Warwick Riga 0 (25-10 25-0 25-0)
We had asked for the fixture to be re-arranged due to player unavailability in our squad but were refused & made to play with a threadbare squad. However, after only 15 points of the 1st set, our setter Phil Wyles sprained his ankle & was unable to continue and the referee/opposition refused to allow us to make an emergency substitution i.e. our backcourt specialist for the setter which meant we only had 5 players on court so the game was forfeited on a technical point --- the backcourt specialist has to be named before the match starts & cannot be used for substitutions/injuries which meant although we had 6 players there only 5 were eligible to play !!!!
This is a complete farce & we have registered our disgust at this situation but the result will stand and although the game had no baring on the final league position --- 3rd place was already secured -- it left a very bitter taste after such an excellent season.
We now have a very welcome 2 month break & then we start back in mid July, building up gradually to the new season in September.
Tom Spijkers