NVL Division Three Central
9 March 2008
Venue: Oxford
Riga 0 Norwich 3 (23:25; 11:25; 21:25)
Riga 2 Oxford 3 (17:25; 25:23; 25:27; 25:16; 16:18)

Report written by Clare Francis (photos Chris Jones)

Riga ladies 2 travelled to Oxford today for their last games of the season. They were to face Norwich first (current league leaders) and the Oxford (whom the team had already beaten earlier in the season).

After a good warm up the team went on confident. Norwich were always going to be a tough side to beat but Riga traded them point for point during the first half of the set. With Versatile Netty playing well through 2 and Penny finding her range in the middle, the team looked good as they settled into the set. However, Norwich slowly started to edge ahead. Tomasz called a time out at 23-21 and the girls returned to court determined, but a few side outs later they were changing ends 1 set down having lost it 25-23.

There was a change in line-up for the second set seeing Anja come on for Katcha through 4. This seemed to upset the teams rhythm. Norwich took about four points for everyon one that Riga coule manage. Ginny replaced Clare at 5:1 down, but the pass just didn't improve and despite the teams efforts they found themselves losing the set a disappointing 25-11 down.

Determined to bring something positive from the game Riga returned to the original line up and started the third set strongly. Some strong and decisive middle hitting from Ellie coupled with good defensive work through Emma saw the team force Norwich to a time out with Riga 17:15 ahead. Riga pushed on and good distribution from Clare allowed Jayne to find the line at 4 and Katcha to hit some superb cross court hits. Norwich hit a run of points and despite a team out at 23:21 down Riga couldn't quite manage to get back into the set and Norwich took the final set 25:21 and the game 3:0.

Riga MVP: Clare Francis

With only a few minutes between games Riga were soon to face Oxford. The team decided to have a change in line up and Clare had a run out through 2 with Ginny commanding the setting. Ellie and Penny went through the middle with Jayne and Netty through four. A strong start from the team until M Mashroihnni from Oxford took her position at the service line. She took her team from 9 to 21 points just with her serve. It did not seem to matter what Riga did, it just wasn't enough and Oxford powered on through the set. Riga looked to fight back but it was just too late and Oxford clinched the set 25:17.

A thoroughly disappointed Riga resolved that they would change the direction of the game and reshuffled again with Penny returning to opposite, Anja taking the middle and Katcha returning to four. Some inspired play from the team with good passing from Emma, and strong line hitting from Jayne soon saw the team 16:9 up. Oxford tried to fight back but a few second balls over from Clare and some good middle hitting from Anja and Riga came out on top to take the set 25:23.

The team were determined to crack on in the third, but this is Riga! An unchanged line up should have seen an unchanged result, but a number of unforced errors within the passing unit soon saw the team struggling to keep up with a fighting Oxford. Netty came on for Jayne at 18:21 and some good passing saw the team push through to bring the scores almost level. It was soon 25-25 with all to play for. But at that point Oxford benefited from a couple of very strong serves and took the set 27:25.

So, Riga decided it would have to be another five setter (or crowd pleaser as we like to call them!). Bringing Netty on at opposite for Penny the team went out determined. The first Oxford time out was forced at 11:8. Oxford also tried various substitutions but Riga powered on. At 19:13 up Penny came on to replace a tiring Jayne through 4. The team just went from strength to strength and at 21:14 Ginny came on to serve for Netty and took the score through to 24 despite an Oxford time out in the middle of her service run. Katcha served out the game with Riga winning 25:16.

So it was another fifth set. Oxford won serve which gave Riga the first attack. A great hit from Ellie through the middle and Riga were off in the lead. We changed ends at 8-2 up. Riga continued the fight and great team play from good passing to quality hitting saw the team 12-4 up. Surely this was a fifth set win?? But Oxford had other ideas and some good serving from a couple of their players together with some good back court hitting and Oxford were back in it. Ginny came on for Clare at 12:13 and the teams traded points. At 16:15 Clare returned to the foray and at 16:16 Penny replaced Jayne to help with the pass. The team fought and fought, but at the end of the day Oxford just clinched it and took the set 18:16.

Riga MVP: Clare Francis