Women’s 2^nd team's first game sees mixed fortunes

NVL Division 3C, 21 October 2007
Warwick Riga II 3 Cardiff Ladies 0  (28-26 25-22 25-17)
Warwick Riga II 2 City of Bristol 3 (25-15 25-15 20-25 18-25 11-15)

Report by Clare Francis

Warwick Riga ladies second team faced their first NVL matches this weekend at St Nicholas Park Leisure Centre. The first round of games have been a long while coming, but the team went into the games confident.

First up was Cardiff Ladies. Riga started strong with some good serving and middle hitting from Michele and Jane. However, a five point service run saw Cardiff get back in the game and it was tight at 23-23. Tomasz bought on Clare and the team struggled to see the end of the set. However, several match points later and Riga took the first important set 28-26.

Determined not to make the rest of the match such a nail biter, Riga came out strong in the second. Some good outside hitting from Jayne and Netty saw Riga creep into the lead. Another lapse of concentration towards the end saw Cardiff get close, but Riga ploughed on to take the second 25 - 22. Riga were determined to make it the third and final set. Good passing from Amanda mixed with setting from Clare and some good reverse hitting from Penny saw the team take the set, and the match 25 - 17.

Riga were keen to start the second game with the same vigour. The team found their range the whole way through from libero Emma's passing, to Ginny's distribution which allowed Michele and Jayne to make some good kills. That mixed with some good blocking from Penny saw Riga take the first two sets easily (both 25 - 15)!!

In the third Riga thought they were there and took the foot off the gas. Bristol seized the opportunity and fought back strongly with some excellent outside hitting. Riga tried to fight back but the third and fourth set slipped away 25-20 and 25-18.

So it was all to play for in the fifth, and final set. Riga had a good start but couldn't quite keep that momentum. At the change of ends Bristol were up and Riga couldn't quite manage to close the gap. Bristol finally took the set 15-11. A disappointing result after the first two sets, but Riga has learned its lesson and looks forward to some strong perfomances as the season continues.

Riga's next game is away in Cardiff where the team faces Cardiff Tigers and Northampton on Sunday 4 November.

Special thanks to referees (John and Rose), to scorers and line judges (Chris, Adam, Dave, Sarah and Liz) and to the "crowd"!