National KO Cup Semi-final, 9th March 2002
City of Stoke 3 Warwick Riga 1

They travelled with hope but returned with heartache. Riga Volleyball Club’s big weekend became a big disappointment as the Men’s First team tumbled out of the Cup with a whimper and then surrendered a golden opportunity to put themselves in a clear second place in National League Division One with defeat at the hands of London Docklands. "In the semi, we got off to a bad start and it never really got better," summed up a disconsolate captain Tom Young. "Sunday was a better performance from us but Docklands were fired up and deserved to take it in the end."

Riga's attempt to reach their first ever K. O. Cup Final floundered almost from the beginning. Whilst confidence was high, arguably the side approached the match as if it were already in the bag. Stoke, facing the prospect of a disappointing season and cast in the role of underdog, had few cares and started the first set in the better form. Both sides made errors but Riga failed to emulate Stoke in rising above those mistakes to seize the initiative. With key players virtually anonymous, it was inevitable that Riga succumbed 25 - 17.

The entrance of captain Tom Young at the start of set two appeared to have the desired effect on Riga's fortunes as they took a 4 - 1 lead. However the team were still in a fragile mood and Stoke's Neil Masters soon had his side back in front 10 - 5 with some powerful finishing. Although Riga regained the lead fleetingly, the initiative was lost and despite a late flurry, Stoke maintained their advantage to take the set 25 - 22.

Backs were now against the wall and at last Riga showed some of the form that has taken the side to second place in the league. John Gilling, Richard Meade and Kees de Hoogh all made their mark on the third set to forge Riga a 9 - 5 lead. Once in front and with Stoke only being able to match their opponents, Riga took command. As Stoke became more error prone, Riga ran out winners 25 - 20.

If the third set was vital, Riga's continued interest in the match hinged on a repeat performance in the fourth. Neither side seemed capable of securing a decisive lead although Riga appeared to have the edge. As the end of the set grew closer, there was still little to separate the two protagonists. In that situation the winner would be the one who held their nerve the longest. That was once again Stoke as Riga failed to take their chances with a 25 - 23 exit.

"To say we didn't perform as well as we could will sound like sour grapes," said Young afterwards, "and Stoke played well, don't get me wrong. But we didn't do ourselves justice and that's why we're all gutted. We'll learn for the next time - and I'm confident there will be a next time."

The three-one Cup debacle was followed on Sunday by a three-two defeat at the hands of London Docklands in a re-arranged National League Division One fixture. Despite the previous day’s disappointment, Riga opened the match brightly. Having taken an early 7 – 3 lead, with Gilling and de Hoogh prominent, the first set was soon secured 25 – 18. Set two was more competitive as the lead changed hands by turn. At 21 apiece it was anyone’s set but an error by Riga’s Tom Spijkers proved the turning point and the trigger for a Docklands 25 – 22 response.

Set three began as a Riga canter in the park. Fourteen-four up, thanks to de Hoogh, Gilling and Spijkers, Docklands looked set for a drubbing. However they showed their mettle with a spirited fight-back despite finishing the set at the wrong end of a 25 – 20 scoreline.

If Docklands had a mountain to climb in set three, Riga faced the same incline in set four. As Docklands turned up the heat, Riga could find no shade and their hosts squared the match 25 – 18. The deciding fifth set had a Riga disaster written all over it as the side went 8 – 3 down to a rampant Docklands. With rarely a reply, the home side celebrated a deserved victory at 15 – 10.

"Despite losing, I’m happier with today’s performance," claimed Young after the match. "Our standard improved immeasurably over yesterday but Docklands were in a purple patch. They could do little wrong and we suffered. We’ve now got to lift ourselves up for Polonia next Saturday – and that’s no easy match either."

Riga return to London on Saturday to play Polonia who lie fourth in the table. Whilst victory for Riga will go a long way towards securing a second-place finish in the table, Polonia could equally finish second given a hundred percent record through to the end of the season. Polonia-Riga games have been close calls in recent years and none more so than this. So Riga’s earlier three-two win this season will do little more than spur their hosts on to even greater heights.