| After the excitement
of the previous day's cup game against Malory, Warwick Riga needed to get
back to the real matter-in-hand for the season, the League. Fortunately
there was no "After the Lord Mayor's Show" feeling about the game as the
visitors were City of Wolverhampton who in December had put an end to Riga's
unbeaten run. Riga were out for revenge and to emphasise the point coach
Young had a 30-minute pre-match team talk to which the members of the press
were not invited! |
Rachel McCarthy digging
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Riga started
strongly in the first set, still being psyched up from the game with Malory
and peppered the Wolverhampton defence from all angles. Centre hitters Sarah
Pochin and Dawn Woolmer in particular, were finding the Wolverhampton block
a little less off-putting than the one day before. Although City of
Wolverhampton, fielding a changed side from the one they played in their
home fixture, came back strongly, it was not enough and Riga took the first
set 26-24. |
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In the 2nd set Riga had adapted to their opponents for the day and in
probably their best spell of the day dominated the play with setter Liz
Young spreading the ball around her hitters to ensure that Wolverhampton
never knew where the next attack was coming from. Once a few points ahead
Riga never let the lead slip and ended up comfortable winners of the set
25-21. |
Wolverhampton take a time-out
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Set 3 and Wolverhampton were now determined not to give up without a fight
and with some determined play from ex-England junior Val Melville, sneak
ahead of Riga to take the set 25-23. |
20-20 : What a time to come on! Michelle Lynam enters the fray
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The 4th set and the Riga first six take to the court again, by now however
Wolverhampton have their tails up and it is nip and tuck all the way
through. At 20-20, coach Young decided to change setters in an effort to
finish off Wolverhampton. A brave gamble a this stage of the game, but
Michelle Lynam did exactly what was asked of her and led the girls to a
25-23 win. Perhaps this is the start of a new career for Michelle, as a
specialist closer, like they do in baseball. |
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So a good result that keeps Riga on course for the February 10th showdown
with Dulwich Tuskers to determine the destination of the league title. There
are still some more games to go but there was no doubting that this was a
big hurdle crossed and the smile on Tom Young's face said it all. |
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