NVL Division Three East
18 January 2009
Venue: Peckham Academy
Riga 1 Dulwich Knights 3 (15-25; 27-25; 26-28; 25-22)

Report written by Netty's car (which has absolutely no crumbs on the front passenger seat!)

On Sunday the girls travelled to London for a single header. The girls had high hopes of a win having lost a close 5 setter on their previous visit. Dulwich started straongly and the girls took too long to find their rythm. Jayne Warman playing out of position at 2 caused some confusion and the girls were soon trailing 18-5! However, some powerful serving from Clare Walsh saw Riga claw back 8 points - but it was too little too late and Dulwich closed out the set 25-15.

In the second set a change of rotation by coach Virginia Rennie had a positive impact and the girls lead for much of the set. Good distribution from setter Emma Young allowed middle players Ellie Beatie and Miriam Kay to ground the ball. Unfortunately Dulwich's determination meant they chased down every ball and took the set 27-25.

In the third set Riga fought hard and despite being behind at the start stayed in touch. Some strong serving from Lynette Purkiss and some good mobility from setter Clare Francis kept the girls in the game and having been 20:14 down the team fought back to take the set in a nail biting finish - 28:26.

The girls felt sure they would now be able to take the match to 5 sets but a slow start in the fourth soon saw them 5 points behind. Encouraging words from coach Virginia Rennie insired the girls to claw back lost points and force Dulwich intoa time out at 24:22. At the end of the day Dulwich took the set with a lucky scramble at the net.

Most Valuable Player was Netty Purkis.

The girls now have a couple of weeks to work off those mince pies before a home fixture on 2 February.