Men’s 2nd team win one and lose one in Middlesborough double header

NVL Division 3, 10 December 2006

 

Warwick Riga vs University of Birmingham

3 – 1 (23-25, 25-22, 25-17, 25-21)

Warwick Riga vs Nottingham Rockets

3 – 2 (25-20, 25-19, 23-25, 21-25, 15-9)

 

Match Report by Steve Boxx

 

Currently mid table Warwick Riga men's 2nd team needed a good solid victory against Nottingham rockets and Birmingham Uni to fulfill their dreams of promotion.

With Nottingham rockets up first, this gave us the chance of a good warm up and to get our heads in the game before taking on Birmingham who were currently top of the table. Some good smashes and hard serves and good all round game play by the Warwick team, kept the rockets at bay and saw Riga win the first two sets. With Riga's game slightly dropping and the Rockets on the advance they pulled back two sets, now the game was in the balance with two sets to two. With the Riga team rallying once more for the fifth set It managed to elimate the errors with a good first pass. That combined with Juliano Buquio of Warwick producing some great sets and Riga's offence finishing off the hits saw Warwick Riga win the game 3-2.

Riga's man of the match was Steve Box.

After a good warm up and ready to take on Birmingham side, it was time to maximize our chance and go on further in the league.  However, after Riga narrowly lost the first set by two points it was time to focus, so with the team maxed out with experience and fighting hard gave Riga the come back it needed and saw the game tied at one set to one. Canadian Steve produced some great blocks and brilliant serves along with good solid hits from Tom Young, Lewis Messam and Tom Spijkers saw Riga right through the game and winning 3 -1.

So in the end a great day for the Riga team.  The team is slowly progressing up the league and still fighting for promotion.  The team's next game is in the New Year and it hopes to continue the push for promotion.