NVL Division 1, 02 December 2006
Warwick Riga v Sheffield
3 – 2 (21-25, 25-19, 17-25,
25-20, 15-13)
Match Report by Dan Turnbull
At the weekend Riga
successfully negotiated there way through there first ‘5 setter’ this season,
doing it the hard way, having to come from behind twice against a strong
Sheffield side.
A change to the ‘usual’
starting six saw Andreas Wicht rewarded
for his strong performance in the game at Manchester the week earlier. However, the first set started like so
many this season, slowly, with Sheffield siding out and quickly opening up a 3
point lead. Riga’s usually strong
attack was misfiring at the net and it took until 18 all to gain parity, only
for a serious of errors and Sheffield attacks, particularly through the middle
handed Sheffield the first set.
With a few strong words
from Coach Tom Young, Riga started
the second set with a bit more energy.
Both sides traded ‘side outs’ until a run of jump serves from ‘English’ Chris Anderson opened up a narrow lead prompting Sheffield to
replace setters. This lead was
increased further, firstly through a Kees
de Hoogh service run and then by Tomas
Morawski on as a serving substitute for Damon Minotti. With a
greater consistency from the service line and a notable improvement in attack
Riga went on to take the second set.
Riga shuffled there line up
at the start of the third set with Tomas
playing opposite Phil Wyles and ‘Kiwi’ Chris Anderson replacing his ‘English’ counterpart. Initially both sides traded ‘side outs’
until the errors that had marred Riga first set performance returned. From 9-10, Riga found themselves stuck
in a series of rotations allowing Sheffield to pull away and comfortably take a
2 sets to 1 lead.
With another dose of ‘Tom Young’ still ringing in the ears
and the knowledge that they would have to markedly up there level of
performance if they were to take anything from the game Riga set about
levelling the score for a second time.
The two sides looked evenly matched for much of the fourth set, and then
at 19 all, four consecutive blocks by Dan
Turnbull gave Riga the advantage and ultimately the set.
Neither side could establish
a lead in the fifth. The sides
changed ends at 8-7 in favour of Riga with
John Gilling at the service line.
A disputed line call at 9-7 Riga saw Sheffield’s Matt Howe cautioned,
his over enthusiastic arguing punished when his hit was called long. At 14-10 Riga may have felt the game
was won but strong serving from Sheffield substitute Anthony Higgnett, bought
on at 14-11, coupled with hitting errors from Riga prolonged the match. With 3 match points already gone Riga
settled to receive serve once again, however as the calls went up for a
possible foot fault, these were quickly replaced with a call of ‘out’ as this
time the serve went long.
A third straight win for
Riga sees them leap frog Sheffield into fourth place. Next up is the first return match of the season, away to
Cambridge on the 10th December, before volleyball takes its winter
break.
MVP was awarded to Phil
Wyles, his fourth nomination this season putting top of the leader board.
Riga Squad: Chris A (UK), Chris A (NZ), Kees, John, Damon, Luca,
Tomasz, Martijn, Dan, Andreas, Phil W, Andy C.
Coach: Tom Young
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|