(09/03/2000)
Riga have another chance to put their hands on some silverware this season with a quarter-final Shield match against Second Division Sikh Temple on Saturday at the St. Nicholas Park Leisure Centre, Warwick (6pm). A new innovation this year by the English Volleyball Association means that any losers up to the semi-final stage of the Cup are automatically entered into a second trophy competition. So despite having been knocked out of the Cup a fortnight ago by Polonia, Riga now have a very good chance of going all the way in the Shield.
"The Shield and Cup Finals are played on the same day in Sheffield with Sky Sports in attendance," notes captain Tom Young. "So there's quite an incentive to get there. When we get past Temple, we should be in line to play Birmingham, who are below us in Division One. If we keep our heads on that one, Sheffield here we come."
Young's dismissal of West Bromwich-based Sikh Temple may be premature as the visitors have a reputation for being an awkward team to play against. Their style will certainly be different from Riga's normal Division One opponents, but with home advantage, Riga should realise their pre-match favourite status.