National League Division 1, 16th March 2002
Polonia 3 Warwick Riga 1 (25-22 21-25 27-25 28-26)
Tail end of the season lessening the interest; damp drizzly weather soaking you to the skin; St Patrick Day’s festivities starting in the West End – by the English who can’t celebrate anything on the right date: yet a hardcore of supporters came to support the teams and were rewarded with a cracking match. Second place Riga needed just two wins from three matches to end the season as runners up to Malory London. A good win today and favourable results later by themselves and others could see Polonia usurp their place. From the start the ingredients were right. It turned out to be a match dominated by the attacks which were intelligent, using power and subtlety to make life difficult for the backcourt. Despite this, both teams’ setters: Stevie Lams and Phil Wyles played extraordinarily well and effectively and kept the power players supplied with passes. The outcome was in doubt to the very end when the home side ran out winners by three sets to one.
Bang! Serge Beliaeff exploded into the match in the first rally and Polonia were a point up. Tom Spijkers, John Gilling and Tom Young responded for Warwick while Michas Saller and Andreas Koini countered them. All were directing the ball well and as a result the blocks were finding things difficult despite occasional success notably from Kees de Hough and Richard Meade for the visitors and Koini, Van Duin and Beliaeff for Polonia and leading to difficulties for the backcourt. More often than not, nevertheless, the ball was retrieved somehow, Riga libero Mark Fearn proving steady and reliable, and the setters made excellent use of the pass to instigate a continuous flow of spectacular net play. The situation was evenly balanced throughout the first set up to 16-16, when Polonia drew slightly away. Riga coach John Boughton called time out at 21-19 and successive wild serves spoiled the late stages of the set as it went to Polonia by three points.
Riga went into a small lead early in the second set, Polonia evened the score at 6-6 with an Andrzej Saller service ace and then drew away to 10-7. Riga, after a time out, varied the attack a little more and again tied the score at 13 all. The excitement continued as Warwick drew away slightly; Polonia coach Paul Westhead brought on Jurek Jankowski for the first time at 20-22 but the redheaded star could not stem the flow of attacks and Riga were back in the match at 21-25.
Having changed ends, Paul Westhead seemed to have given his lads a little extra for the third set. The home side went into an early lead and refused to relinquish it although a fighting display by Warwick saw them draw level at 4-4, 12-12, 17-17 and 22-22. No chairs were needed on the balcony as the gallery urged their heroes on. Then disaster: Riga powered to match point: 23-24; apprehension: Jurek Jankowski crossed the central line attempting an attack; relief: it was ruled a double fault as it was impossible to judge if a Riga error had preceded or followed it; reaction: Michas Saller smashed off the block and it was 24-24. Polonia reasserted themselves and Kees de Hough’s smash flew long. Polonia were in front again.
Set 4 and John Boughton had found the magic words as the sides changed ends.
Although Polonia took the opening point with a delicately placed half-pace smash
from Richard Meade, it was the visitors’ turn to get in front and stay them.
Indeed they bettered Polonia’s third set performance allowing the home team to
draw level only at 4-4. The gap increased to three points at 18-15 after a short
set and fast attack from John Gilling whose jump serving had earlier increased
the pressure. Very slowly Polonia closed the gap, not helped by too many service
faults although aiming for the corners or driving their opponents to the base
line caused most. Finally Polonia were back in the set at 22 all. Both sides
continued to attack and the gallery started to think about a late dinner after a
fifth … Then at 26-26 Kees de Hough finished off a smart Warwick attack and
struck the ball just out. Jurek Jankowski created confusion by following that
with a short serve that only just cleared the net and Stas Murzynowski was able
to thump the desperate clearance first time straight down onto the Riga court.
25-22 21-25 27-25 28-26. Polonia are now just two points behind Warwick in the
League Table with two games to play.
Douglas Barr-Hamilton
3Touch volleyball’s
roving reporter
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