NVL Division Three Central
02 December 2007
Venue: University of Bristol
Riga 2 Northampton 3 (19-25, 20-25, 25-15, 25-21, 15-6)
Riga 0 City of Bristol 3 (25-20, 25-20, 25-20)

Report written by Clare Francis

Riga ladies’ second team travelled to Bristol this weekend to take on City of Bristol and Northampton.  With a large squad of players the team was keen to get good results in its last game prior to Christmas. 

Northampton were the first opposition.  Riga started strongly and Ginny Rennie’s distribution allowed Ellie Beattie and Netty Purkis to find all corners of the court with their hits that Northampton could not return as Riga took the set 25-19.  The team went out confident in the second set and despite a slight (!) line-up error which caused Riga some confusion, Clare Francis’ setting allowed Penny Smith and Jayne Warman to dominate at the net as the team took the second set comfortably at 25-20.

With a good lead coach, Tomasz Mowaski, took the opportunity in the third set to introduce Emma and new comers Anna Wojdala, Katazyna Mikolajczak and Paulina Krazynska into the fray.  Some confusion in the passing unit meant Riga could not present a fierce attack. Northampton capitalised on the opportunity and pressed on to take the set 25-15!

Riga fought back in the fourth set, Amanda Dille’s passing allowed Ginny Rennie to use the various options available to her and some excellent back court defence from Emma Young kept the ball alive and Riga edged point for point forwards.  However, a run of service errors from Riga allowed Northampton to take the set 25-21.  Riga couldn’t quite pull it back and Northampton took the final set 15-6.  Riga were bitterly disappointed but with Bristol yet too play, the team had to re-group and carry on.

The team started well against Bristol matching them point for point.  Ginny Rennie took an injury early on, so Clare Francis took over the setting duties.  Team spirit lifted and Jayne Warman and Anna Wojdala dominated at the net.  Bristol came out on top though and took the set 25-20.

In the second set Bristol’s strong attack meant Riga’s defence was tested to the full.  Riga recycled the ball with passion, but struggled to turn it around and was on the back foot.  Jayne Waman and Netty Purkis’s back court passing meant Clare Francis could use all the hitting options and Penny Smith won many points through reverse.  Again, Bristol came out on top 25-20.

Riga were even more determined in the third, and took an early two point lead.  With the team playing as one unit, Penny Smith and Anna Wojdala found some blocks allowing Riga to maintain the lead.  Bristol started to panic and were forced into two time outs.  Bristol used these well and started to pull away.  Netty Purkis took an injury at a crucial point and Paulina Krazynska came through 4.  Bristol proved just too strong for Riga as they took the final set 25-20. 

MVP: Jayne Warman