(17/02/2002)
National League Division One action returns to Warwick’s St. Nicholas Park Leisure Centre on Saturday (6pm) with the visit of Wessex. Hosts Riga will be looking to complete a season’s whitewash over the south coast side as they bid to finish in second slot in the League for the first time in their history. "It’s uncharted territory for us at the minute," says captain Tom Young, "but we’re all enjoying the adventure."
That journey became even more exciting when defeat for Portsmouth in a top of the table clash with Malory a fortnight ago gave Riga the opening to overtake Pompey and claim an historic runners-up spot. With a semi-final due in early March against Stoke, even an appearance in this year’s Cup Final is on the cards. All this from a side that last year had more of an eye on avoiding relegation than claiming pre-eminence in the top flight.
"We’ve got a good set of lads in the squad now," claims Young, " and every one of them is capable of performing in the team. That competition for places is pushing us to new heights in training and it makes the difference in matches. We’ve got the talent for sure but the mental approach has got to be there too."
Despite back-to-back National Shield victories and playing in front of TV cameras and hundreds of spectators, handling the pressure in the big games is still a learning experience for Riga. Defeats by both Portsmouth and Malory have highlighted the problem this season as the team failed to perform on each occasion.
But getting results in other matches is equally important right now and whilst Wessex visit Warwick with the shadow of relegation still cast over them, a recent run of victories on the road have improved their fortunes. A Wessex win on Saturday would certainly increase the pressure on Salford, although on current form that looks unlikely. The track record between the two sides this season also suggests otherwise. A three-one defeat on their home court in Poole was followed up by a three-nil Cup exit just before Christmas at the hands of their hosts. The latter defeat meant that Wessex would not be defending their title in Sheffield in April.
But their priority now will be league survival and Young is not under-estimating the task before his side. "We’ve been in the dogfight at the bottom of the table. Every match becomes a Cup Final. Both sides need to win, so it should be a good match for the spectators but the coaches will be put through the wringer."