Opponents: Warwick Riga
Competition: National League Division 1
Date: Saturday 26th January 2008
Venue: Bacon's College
Result: W 3-2 (26-28, 25-16, 25-18, 14-25, 15-11)
Headline: Docklands' revenge dents Warwick's title hopes
Author: Andy Hopper

London Docklands Volleyball faced old rivals Warwick Riga at the weekend in a tense five set match that saw Docklands gain revenge for Warwick's own five set victory earlier in the season. Before that match both sides had been undefeated. Since then Docklands' double title defence has faded whilst Warwick have remained in contention for both the league and cup. However, over the eleven years of this fixture Warwick have only won once at Docklands' home venue and have not won any match in London for over two years.

These omens did not bode well for the visitors and with travel problems on the M1 and in the Docklands area some of their squad did not arrive until 40 minutes after the official start time. The start of the match was delayed but with six players available Warwick had to make some adjustments to their formation. With regular Libero Luca Molinari playing middle and player coach Tom Young forced into a rare court appearance as setter the match began. As is often the case with teams facing adversity, Warwick showed their spirit and fought their way into the match with some gutsy defence and clever attacking play. They took the lead at 12-10 after a Kees de Hoogh kill and a block on Francesco Riginelli forcing Docklands coach Ian Legrand into taking his first time out. Docklands re-established their sideout game and a short run of Efe Eruero serves coupled with two consecutive Klaus Thummert kills saw Docklands steal the lead at 17-15. And when Riginelli blocked Warwick's English Chris Anderson to take Docklands 22-18 ahead it looked as though Docklands had the first set in the bag. However, Warwick's makeshift team had other ideas and a run of Anderson serves put pressure on Docklands' passing unit and two blocks by Young on Nathan French helped turn a 23-20 deficit into a 24-23 lead. Riginelli saved Warwick's first set point but Docklands were unable to make the breakthrough on their own serve and Warwick converted their fourth set point to take a 28-26 first set victory.

With the remaining Warwick players still not present Young had to stick with the same six but after the first set win maybe he would have done the same anyway. However, his side could not repeat the heroics of the first set as Docklands turned up the heat. Riginelli killed the ball at almost every opportunity and backed up by some strong serving by Thummert and Danny Primus, Docklands took a 19-7 lead. By this time the missing Warwick players had arrived and were preparing themselves for their now inevitable introduction in the third set. Warwick managed to narrow the gap but Docklands' lead was too great and they levelled the match with a 25-16 second set win.

Young replaced himself with regular setter Phil Wyles and Molinari made way for Manuele Monti in the middle. With Molinari unable to take up his Libero position he was now restricted to short substitute appearances across the back row in each of the remaining sets. Docklands were able to take advantage of the inevitable disruption that Warwick faced and were also able to return to the game plan they'd prepared for. They enjoyed the better of the early exchanges and with the help of blocks by Eruero and French took a 9-3 lead. However, Warwick started to find their form again and were in position to punish some slack Docklands play. Two consecutive kills by Dan Turnbull levelled the score at 12-12 and the momentum was back with Warwick. A few points later and a de Hoogh smash saw the visitors take the lead 15-14. But a fired-up Riginelli took the fight back to Warwick and his kill brought him around to serve. His powerful jump serves caused problems with the Warwick receive and French took advantage with a kill and then a block on Wyles. A Riginelli back court smash took Docklands 19-15 up and in full control of the set. Docklands were determined not to see a repeat of the first set and extended their lead with blocks by Primus and Thummert. In the end a Riginelli kill sealed a 25-18 win.

With their last two matches going to five sets it was always on the cards that the same would happen again and after Warwick started the fourth set in a hurry Docklands could not match the visitors' will to win and force a final set. The two Warwick Chris Andersons and de Hoogh were killing the ball from all parts of the court and with Docklands' Libero Alexis Blair struggling with an injury sustained in the warm-up, Docklands passing unit was looking fragile. Three blocks in row by Eruero lifted Docklands' spirits but by then it was too late as then three Docklands' errors in a row helped Warwick to a 25-14 fourth set win.

A good start in a fifth set is crucial and Warwick looked to have made it when Turnbull shut out Riginelli and de Hoogh smashed another kill through the Docklands' block. Riginelli responded with two kills of his own and then the sides exchanged points up until 6-6. Docklands then secured the crucial break with an ace from French and a block by Eruero. The teams swapped ends with Docklands two points up and when Docklands defended a Monti attack which was converted by Thummert the home side were in complete control. They were able to sideout to secure a 15-11 fifth set win, inflicting Warwick's seventh consecutive defeat in the capital.

Warwick's title ambitions have been dented while Docklands still have their sights on third place - Docklands have not finished lower than third since they returned to Division 1 in 2001. Warwick still have to play at home against title rivals Malory and Sheffield and they are yet to experience defeat at home this season. Also they only have one more trip to London.

Docklands' coach Legrand said after the match, "We always seem to have good matches with Riga and today was no exception, there was some good quality volleyball played out there. We fought well when we had to and were quite clinical when we needed to be in the fifth set. However, I was disappointed by our overall consistency and that's definitely something we'll be working on before our next match."

Docklands have plenty of time to prepare for their next match against London Polonia on the 23rd February.

Earlier at Bacon's College, the day started badly for Warwick Riga as their ladies team were beaten by Swiss Cottage 3-0 to take their unbeaten run to five games. Just like the Docklands result Swiss' win avenged Warwick's victory by the same scoreline earlier in the season. Danny Primus' team showed how they have improved since then and the win keeps them in the hunt for a top three finish in their first season in Division 1. Swiss now return to cup action next weekend when they will face a tricky quarter final tie at Middlesbrough College.

Black Knight: Francesco Riginelli

Docklands: Kaptein 0 kills (3 attempts), Riginelli 33 (52), French 12 (26), Thummert 15 (30), Gaitan 0 (1), Eruero 3 (9), Primus 2 (3), Blair (Libero). Sub not used: Phillips.

Warwick: Wyles 0 (2), De Hoogh 21 (41), Monti 1 (3), Young 0 (0), Anderson 9 (24), Anderson 9 (28), Turnbull 4 (5), Molinari 1 (3). Subs not used: Gilling, Morawski.

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