Warwick Riga vs Preston

3 – 1 (25 – 17, 25 – 22, 23 – 25, 25 – 22)

Warwick Riga vs Newcastle Staffs

3 – 0 (25-7, 25-17, 25-12)

Match Report by Richard Digby

Riga M2 were keen to take advantage of consecutive home fixture to further their advance up the National Volleyball League 3^rd Division North table after their previous two victories on home ground.

The first game against Preston VC got off to an idea start with Riga taking the first two sets in a reasonably comfortable way despite some initially shaky passing. However Preston were keen not to have taken the trip South in vain and rallied to just take the third set. Riga didn’t want to win the hard way by playing five sets however so star hitter Tom Spijkers was brought back on for the fourth set to provide extra fire-power. This combined with some fine setting by Riga Man of the Match Juliano Buquio meant Riga took the fourth set and the game by three sets to one.

The second match was against the young team of Newcastle Staffs who had proven to be tough opposition against Preston when they were allowed to set the pace of the game and they worked as very tight team. Bearing this in mind and with an eye to the forthcoming tough fixtures Riga started the game without mercy and fielded a strong six to take the first set 25-7. Newcastle Staffs played some admirable defensive work backcourt but were not able to sustain the barrage of Riga spikes and as such lost to Riga 3-0.

These results puts Riga second in the table behind fellow Midlanders Birmingham Uni, setting the stage for a table-topping clash in Birmingham on 21^st January.