National League Division 1, 1st March 2003, Warwick Riga v Speedwell
Warwick Riga 3 Speedwell 0 (25-20 25-17 25-16)
Riga were entertaining the leagues new boys, Speedwell at St Nicholas Park last Saturday,1st March 03 and were looking for another comprehensive victory to set themselves up for their cup semi-final clash with league champions, Malory. Coach Tom Young was a little apprehensive going in to the match because he was missing the big hitting Dutchman, Tom Spijkers, flu victim Andy Elliot & late withdrawal through injury Colin Paterson. This meant that Riga’s numbers were sorely depleted and resulted in Young himself filling the vacant no 2 position from the start.
Riga were quickly into their stride & opened up a 5 point lead without too much problem & really hit the cruise control button from that point on!! The home team were always in control and even when their visitors from Bristol got a few points back, the Riga team would up the standard & re-establish their cushion of points. This pattern continued throughout until the opening set was won 25–20 with good performances from Fearn in backcourt & De Hoogh who is turning out to be the star performer for the Warwickshire side.
The second set was pretty much a repeat of the first with the Riga boys opening up a very healthy lead but this time pushing on to increase it & allow Dan Showler to get into the match, making some telling hits after his introduction. Setter Phil Wyles was at his imperious best, distributing the ball beautifully all over the court but in particular finding the middle attackers Nason & Gilling to great affect. Speedwell tried extremely hard to counter the all round power from the home side but could never quite reach the required level & in the end were well beaten 25–17 in this set.
Often in the past a dominant Riga could well have taken their foot off the pedal & allowed their opponents back in to the game but things have changed somewhat over the last few months & Young urged his team to push on & finish off their visitors. Spaniard, Alex Medina who has been a revelation for the team since his arrival suddenly decided to spring to life & started to display some exquisite touches & shots that Speedwell had no answer for & hence it was no surprise for the spectators that the set was wrapped up in a very short period of time 25–16 and the game 3–0 !!
Young was pleased with the victory & the 3–0 score-line but knew his team had achieved the result without ever hitting the highs of the previous weekend but nonetheless was very satisfied with the overall performance against a very‘ tricky ‘ side. The Riga team now turn their attention to what effectively is the biggest game of the season for them when they travel south to take on Malory in the National KO Cup semi-final this coming Saturday,8th March.
Coach Tom Young firmly believes that his team are capable of achieving what would be the biggest victory in their club’s history but is under no illusion that his team will need to perform at the very peak of their abilities, otherwise Malory who have been the undisputed champions of English volleyball for over a decade, will prevail once again. Everyone within the Riga camp is looking forward to the match, whatever happens !!!!
Tom Young