Mens 2nd team overcome determined Cleobury in cup

Men's 2nd team overcome determined Cleobury in cup

KO Cup, Round One, 17th October 2002

Warwick Riga II 3 Cleobury 2 (22-25 23-25 25-20 25-19 15-12)

With an impressive turnout for the men's 2nd team cup match there was a hunger for success in the air (that may have been due to the sub zero temperatures at Bablake).

The 1st 2 sets saw Riga battling hard to break the experienced Cleobury team. Despite some good individual performances, (James 'I'll take every ball and more' Stearn and Rich Digby) Riga lost the 1st and 2nd sets 22 - 25 and 23 - 25.
In the 3rd and what may considered the final set there was a mass change of players by coach Steve Howe. It appears that the awesome sight of new signing Reynald and the determination of Lionel to show his worth on court (its amazing how focused a French man can be after 2 sets on a cold bench!!) was too much for Cleobury. The boys took the 3rd set 25 -20.

The 4th set saw the balance of luck turning from Cleobury to Riga (and about time too - Steve had some strong opinions on our lack of luck to this point). The boys dug in and continued to wear the tiring Cleobury down. The set was clinched 25 - 19 and the boys were on fire.

Coach Howe explains a point - which seems to be amusing James somewhat!

5th and final set. We got in to a good lead and as we changed ends the Cleobury side were obviously regretting not finishing it in the 3rd. There was fantastic support from the side lines and we were up for finishing it but we let it slip. 2 time outs and some strong words re-focused the 6 on court and with some clever play and bucket loads of determination we took the set 15 -12.

An excellent start to the season and according to Rob "one of the best matches I've seen for a while".
Thanks to all involved in with refereeing, scoring and lines in such arctic conditions.

Nathan Rosewell

With an impressive turnout for the men's 2nd team cup match there was a hunger for success in the air (that may have been due to the sub zero temperatures at Bablake).
The 1st 2 sets saw Riga battling hard to break the experienced Cleobury team. Despite some good individual performances, (James 'I'll take every ball and more' Stearn and Rich Digby) Riga lost the 1st and 2nd sets 22 - 25 and 23 - 25. In the 3rd and what may considered the final set there was a mass change of players by coach Steve Howe. It appears that the awesome sight of new signing Reynald and the determination of Lionel to show his worth on court (its amazing how focused a French man can be after 2 sets on a cold bench!!) was too much for Cleobury. The boys took the 3rd set 25 -20. The 4th set saw the balance of luck turning from Cleobury to Riga (and about time too - Steve had some strong opinions on our lack of luck to this point). The boys dug in and continued to wear the tiring Cleobury down. The set was clinched 25 - 19 and the boys were on fire.	Coach Howe explains a point - which seems to be amusing James somewhat!
5th and final set. We got in to a good lead and as we changed ends the Cleobury side were obviously regretting not finishing it in the 3rd. There was fantastic support from the side lines and we were up for finishing it but we let it slip. 2 time outs and some strong words re-focused the 6 on court and with some clever play and bucket loads of determination we took the set 15 -12.
An excellent start to the season and according to Rob "one of the best matches I've seen for a while". Thanks to all involved in with refereeing, scoring and lines in such arctic conditions.

Nathan Rosewell