John Gillings Leap!
(26/02/2000)
| Second time proved equally unlucky as Polonia thwarted any hopes of a Riga Cup revenge with a three-one win on Saturday at the St. Nicholas Park Leisure Centre, Warwick. The previous week Polonia had denied their hosts a place in the semi-finals. This week despite a greatly improved performance, Warwick still succumbed to a more tightly disciplined team. | ||
| Riga's fortunes were boosted before the match with the return of skipper Tom Young and defensive specialist Mark Fearn. They quickly made their mark in the early trading of points between the two sides but it was Polonia who were first to break into the lead at 12-7. The deficit shook Warwick out of their malaise and with Graham Duckett, John Gilling and Pete Abraham aiding Young, the home side roared back and into the lead at 18-16. The tense interplay of the start now resumed as both sides battled for the deciding points. Polonia reached set point first, only to be denied. They in turn denied Riga the set in a final close-out at 27-25. |
John Gillings Leap! |
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| First blood in the second set went to Warwick as Phil Wyles' serving exposed Polonia's defence. A service error destroyed the run and with it seemed to go Riga's chances for the set. Polonia quickly regrouped and mounted an impressive display of attacking volleyball to lead 21-15. The home side were down but not out and with Young and Gilling to the fore came back at their visitors. Unfortunately their efforts could not repair the earlier damage and Polonia took the set 25-21. | ||
| If Polonia were guilty of believing the match was now theirs, they paid the price with a 25-13 drubbing in the third set. Once Richie Meade's serving had established an 8-1 lead, Warwick were as in command as Polonia were in trouble. In a fluent display, Riga amassed points from around the court with Dan Showler leading the way with some superb attacks and athletic defensive work. | ||
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Polonias attack |
The fourth set had to wait for its drama and neither side allowed the other an inch. With Polonia barely 9-8 in the lead, a disputed line call edged them further ahead. The ensuing disruption to Warwick's rhythm allowed another point to slip away. From then on Polonia strode purposefully and relentlessly towards the set as their hosts struggled to regain their momentum. At 23-15 to the visitors it looked all over. Then with some more Meade bombshell serves, Riga clawed their way back into the set. Unfortunately as with set two, a service error became their nemesis as Polonia secured victory 25-20. | |
| "The second set apart, that was one of the best games we've played this season," noted captain Tom Young after the game. "The third set showed how well we can play. It's back to consistency. If we could hold the level throughout the match we'd be up at the top of the table instead of looking over our shoulders. Still we're getting it back together and that's a good sign." | ||
John Boughton