Division=M1 21/10/06

Midlands derby thriller

Warwick Riga 3 – 1 Newcastle (Staffs) (25-27, 25-18, 30-28, 25-20)

Despite going down to a third consecutive defeat Newcastle (Staffs)
showed a real return to form in the Midlands derby match at Warwick. The
previous encounters between these teams have been close, tempestuous
affairs, and whilst the match was as competitive as ever it was played
in good spirit between two committed teams.

‘Castle player-coach Ant Viggars made his first on-court contribution of
the season and his presence on court appeared to give an air of
confidence and belief in the whole squad. The first set was the
precedent for the entire match with the teams trading side-outs
regularly and neither side able to dominate. ‘Castle began to deploy
their serving strategy well, moving Warwick’s front-court receiver
around the court and reducing their attacking potency, indeed a key
feature of the first set was hitting errors from Warwick’s swing
hitters. This coupled with a desire by ‘Castle to use the middle on
every occasion made for the ideal start for the away team who held on to
take the set 27-25.

The second set was again a close affair until Warwick stepped up their
serving game in the 2nd half of the set. ‘Castle’s renowned battling
defensive qualities were very much to the fore, with numerous pick-ups
behind a well-formed block. Setter Sam Bragg was distributing the ball
well and again picked out the middle attack of Will Roberts regularly,
with particular potency during transition when Warwick appeared to
expect the wing attack. The introduction of Polish wing hitter Tomasz
Morawski pushed the set in Warwick’s favour as they upped their
performance at the crucial time to win 25-18.

The 30-28 score-line of the 3rd set indicates what an epic period of
volleyball had just been played out. With both teams defending with
great tenacity, the rallies at the end of the set were long and
entertaining, and with the advantage fluctuating between the sides both
sets of supporters had plenty to applaud. Despite the best efforts of
‘Castle, and notable kills from James Cooper and Sam Bragg, the set was
just taken by the hosts.

‘Castle were not prepared to lie down and take defeat, and yet again the
fourth set was a close one. For a spell mid-set it appeared that every
attacker and blocker was to be judged over the centre line, with both
sides penalised in a confusing period of play that diluted the quality
and pace of the match. It was Warwick who came through that period the
better as their wing attackers stepped up the challenge to take the
match late on in the set, 25-20.

‘Castle squad: Will Roberts (c), Ant Viggars, Sam Bragg, Adam Brewer,
Dave Lovell, Richard Guest, Jon Pennock, James Cooper, Matt Rogers,
Simon Jones, Mark Speake (libero), Ant Viggars (player-coach).