Womens' 2nd team have great weekend in Weymouth

2/3 June 2007

Report by Clare Francis

The women's second team travelled to Weymouth for the weekend of the 2/3 June to take part in the national league tournament run each year by Wessex volleyball Club. The tournament is open to womens teams from any of the NVL divisions. Warwick only had a squad of 7 but were determined to have a good weekend. Most of the team arrived Friday night and Andy, Michele and Penny went to see the draw take place while Amanda, Ellie, Ginny and Jayne....well, the photos below say it all.

Riga managed to get the tough pool in the draw (as usual then)! Not only were we ref, play, play, ref, play, play, ref, play, play without a break, but we also had a couple of Div 1 teams and some Div 2 teams. The first game of the day was against Wessex!!! Warwick started strong and at one point we were 6 - 5 up! However, the lead slipped away with us somewhat! Despite this Riga played some brilliant volleyball.

The team beat Plymouth and South Hants in the pool stages and took a set off Chiltern (who had a set off Wessex!). In its pool stage Riga also faced Portsmouth (another very stong team) and the tournament ended up with a Wessex v Portsmouth final. On the Saturday the tournament finished around 7.30pm and a very tired and weary Riga headed back to the hotel for a shower before going out to the local Italian for dinner. A great evening was had by all.

Sunday saw Riga enter the plate competition. A convincing (well almost!) quarter final win against Telford saw Riga in the quarter finals against Guildford. However, Guildford proved too strong and beat Riga to enter the plate final against Middlesborough. Riga drew Brentwood in the 3/4 place play off. Due to time constraints we agreed to decide this on the toss of a coin! Brentwood called heads and after a lot of spinning the coin landed on tails letting Riga take 3rd place in the plate competition.

A good tournament with lots (and lots!) of volleyball saw Riga play some of its most commanding volleyball for a while.

Ellie and Jayne consult the menu

Ginny looks worried as Jayne giggles and Ellie looks suspicious!

Penny and Michele ready to receive serve

Tomasz takes a time out

And another one!

Trust me, the whole Riga team felt like this after this tournament!