Riga 2^nd Division women’s team faced a tough test last weekend facing 3^rd placed Tonbridge and mid table Sussex away from home.

Tonbridge was Riga’s nemesis from last season having lost to them twice in the league and cup when, in both cases, they had been leading by 2 sets so this encounter was going to be a psychological battle.

Riga got off to a strong start, keeping a 3 point cushion between them and Tonbridge throughout the set. For the first time this season Riga faced a strong blocking team in the southerners which caused outside hitter, Marinella Cadoni a few problems.

With the first set under their belt 25/19, Riga seemed to sit back on their heels and succumbed repeatedly to the effective back court hitting of Kiwi, Rita Reid, of Tonbridge. The first pass struggled sending setter, Liz Young, all over the court as she attempted to set up attacks. Nerves played a part as many of the Riga players started to imagine their first defeat of the season.

At 1 set all, Riga bounced back thanks to strong, consistent serving from Sarah Pochin which put the Warwick girls ahead 11 - 2. Tonbridge won serve and within minutes drew back level as the Riga back court dissolved as each serve skilfully avoided libero Lynette Purkis and put Pochin and McCarthy under pressure. In what was a yo-yo set, Riga regrouped. Jayne Warman came on for Cadoni and won several points with clever placing of the ball and using the Tonbridge block to Riga’s advantage. Confidence grew and Riga flowed to a 25/14 win.

The fourth set, Riga were on a roll, and all the attacks started to flow. The pass in was good, allowing Young to mix the ball distribution and Pochin, McCarthy, Peryer and Warman were all benefiting. Riga won the set comfortably, putting their demons to rest.

Sunday’s encounter against Sussex promised to be easier but the Riga girls were not complacent. The first two sets were hard going as Riga struggled to get any consistency in their play. Sussex played well and caused the away team a lot of problems. With 2 sets under their belt, 25/23 and 25/20, the first by the skin of their teeth, Riga started to relax and play fluidly. They produced probably their best display of Volleyball so far as Sussex crumpled losing 25/7 in 16 minutes.

Assistant Coach Andy Collins was delighted with the weekend’s results "the girls demonstrated real team spirit as even when things were difficult they pulled together and produced the goods". Rachael ‘Sergeant’ McCarthy, team captain, said "we are just getting stronger each game - Tonbridge were a tough blocking team but we reacted well, everyone is just so focussed on winning".