National League Division 1, 26th October 2002, Warwick Riga v Polonia
National League Division 1, 27th October 2002, Warwick Riga v Aquila
A year ago Saturday's National League Division One clash between Riga and
Polonia would have been top of the table but the sea change in both clubs'
fortunes see them battling to avoid the ignominy of last place. Close on the
heels of that match, Riga face Tooting Aquila in a re-arranged League fixture
on Sunday at Kenilworth's Castle Farm Leisure Centre (noon) in another
important step in this season's campaign.
As Riga strive to regain last season's form that took them to a heady third
place, Tom Young has assumed the coaching reins in place of John Boughton who
becomes Technical Advisor. "John has overseen the team's progress over the
last ten years from a top Second Division side to one that survives and
thrives in Division One. For that he deserves a lot of credit," says Young.
"But having suffered a couple of personal tragedies this year and given the
current plight of the team, a more robust approach is now required and that's
what I aim to provide with John's assistance."
Certainly Young's baptism as coach could not be more testing. Coming off the
back of three straight defeats, a match against your fellow strugglers is full
of significance - and tension. Polonia' s plight is almost as remarkable as
Riga's. Injury and retirement has reduced their ranks to such an extent that
the recent match against Speedwell was conceded, as Polonia could not raise a
team. However, the proud Polish-based side can be expected to bounce back and
with only one relegation place to fight over this season due to Portsmouth's
withdrawal, they have everything to play for.
"Take away the top three sides and the rest are all pretty close at the
moment," confirms Young. "So a couple of wins on the bounce can shoot a team
up the table. It'll be important for both teams to win on Saturday but it
isn't the end of the world for the one that loses either. The season's too
young for that."
Riga have no additional injury worries ahead of the weekend and will welcome
back setter Phil Wyles. He will undoubtedly make a difference to a side that
lost in straight sets to Malory without him. Riga will also need to be at
full strength on Sunday when they face a combative opposition in the form of
Aquila. New faces and a new coach have not seen the former League Champions
start this campaign brightly but they are always a resilient opposition.
Indeed Aquila was the only side other than current Champions Malory to do the
double over Riga last season.
So it is another tricky game for the local side and one they need to win
whatever the result on Saturday if they are to extract themselves from the nub
end of the table. "We know Aquila can be a difficult side to play against,"
acknowledges Young. "We've had some right old ding-dongs in the past against
them and I'm sure Sunday will be more of the same. I'll make sure our lads
are up for it, so it should be a game to keep the fans warm."
"This and the Docklands game last week
are like two peas in a pod," said Young later. "Both were good games of
volleyball, not much to choose between the teams, could have gone either way
and yet neither went for us. We’ve nicked games like this in the past, so we
can’t complain but winning just one of them right now would have made a hell
of a difference to us."
With two games left, Young and his side know they now have to win both to stand any chance of taking an unprecedented second place in the table. Any one of four teams can now achieve that feat with Polonia, Docklands and Portsmouth all vying with Riga. Each of the sides has matches against their rivals, so the race is still wide open. Riga’s next test couldn’t come sooner or bigger than Portsmouth this Saturday at the St. Nicholas Park Leisure Centre, Warwick (6pm). The giant figure of ex-England international Marcus Russell will prove a formidable obstacle to Riga’s task that day and Young is under no illusions. "Russell is their key man. If you don’t get a hold of him, you’re in trouble. It’s a make-or-break match for us and there’s only one result on my mind."
John Boughton