author=Will Roberts

matchdate=11/2/2006
EVAREF=mc 1/4 finals
home=Warwick Riga
away=Newcastle (Staffs)
division=Other
Match Report=

Cup Heartache as ‘Castle Crash Out

Warwick Riga 3 : 1 Newcastle (Staffs) (25-12, 23-25, 25-17, 25-22)

Warwick Riga continued their impressive recent cup form by reaching the
semi-finals with a comprehensive 3-1 win over Midlands rivals Newcastle
(Staffs), leaving them one game away from a third consecutive final. The
first encounter between these sides earlier in the season had finished
3-0 to Warwick, a straight sets win that did not reflect the
competitiveness of each of the sets (26-24, 30-28, 27-25) and ‘Castle
were out to avenge that defeat, and although the 3-1 result would
indicate a closer game, in truth, Warwick won this cup tie with ease.

Whilst the home side Warwick started the game at full throttle ‘Castle
appeared to be in reverse gear, pinned back by Warwick’s serving
strategy. The poor start proved irretrievable as confidence visibly
drained from the Newcastle team and error after error characterised
their play. Setter Sam Bragg was made to chase the ball around the court
as 'Castle failed to control their game and this resulted in an almost
dormant attack. Warwick captain Phil Wyles was the pick of the players
in the first set, controlling the attack skilfully, but more importantly
serving without any mercy to negate any ‘Castle revival.

At the change of ends the visitors reflected upon the set that had just
passed them by, and returned to the court determined to give a much
stronger display. This they did and for the first half of the set the
spectators were treated to the best spell of Volleyball in the match as
both sides traded side-outs. Warwick's De Hoogh was a constant and
towering menace through the wing, attacking with real conviction, but
Ant Viggars was answering his every move to stamp some authority on the
game. With the set even 'Castle sided-out to take Will Roberts to the
service line, and with a serving strategy based more in accuracy than
power, 'Castle scored 7 further points without reply to open a healthy
lead. This they held onto, just, to take the set 25-23 and level the
match 1-1 after Warwick had come back into contention.

The third and fourth sets shared a level of anonymity, with the teams
trading points with relative ease; only on a small number of occasions
did a rally of any quality pop up to entertain the crowd. The difference
between the sides emerged in each case at the end of the sets, as it had
in the earlier league encounter as Warwick took both, with control and
consistency. A hotly disputed line call at the end of the fourth set
which made it 23-20 to Warwick rather than 22-21 raised the temperature,
but with consummate efficiency Warwick closed the game out to make the
semi-finals.

The two sides come head to head again this Saturday in the return
National League match at Keele University (6pm) where 'Castle will hope
to see a return to form and notch up a valuable league win.