NVL review (14th and 15th December) -  Cannons fire to down West country pair

The East Midlands side’s victory was part of a West Country double that also saw them defeat Exeter Storm and means they are now up to fifth in the table on the back of three consecutive victories. 

Cannons first weathered the Storm on Saturday (pictured below) to emerge as 3-1 (25-16, 25-19, 13-25, 25-19) victors at the Riverside Leisure Centre. 

And then, on Sunday, they dented Bristol’s play-offs push at Avanti Gardens School by becoming the first side to win there this season. 

The visitors had looked to be well in control at two sets up, but they had to fight off a stirring fightback to eventually clinch the match via the tie-break set (26-24, 25-22, 18-25, 14-25, 15-10). 

Exeter also faced old adversaries Bristol on Saturday and it was the latter who came out on top, triumphing 25-16, 15-25, 25-16, 25-19. 

Newcastle Staffs also made a welcome return to form after a tough recent run as they clinched a five-set success (14-25, 23-25, 25-23, 28-26, 15-10) with a reverse sweep at Cambridge ARU, who could take some solace from picking up a point in their defeat. 

Although still bottom, Hull Thunder also picked up their second win of the season, 3-1 over Tamworth Spartans, and have games in hand on those above them. 

They rallied well after dropping the first set to earn victory by a 23-25, 25-22, 25-23, 25-14 margin. 

At the other end of the table, meanwhile, London Aces cut Leeds’ lead which, nevertheless remains at 10 points, after an eighth win in 11 matches. 

They were 3-1 Saturday winners of fellow Capital side London Baks at Castle Green Sports Centre (25-18, 25-20, 21-25, 25-17). 

Southampton are up to third and are ominously poised after making it three wins out of three in their final Division 2 South match of 2024. 

They were 25-18, 25-17, 25-19 conquerors of Cardiff Panthers after journeying west into Wales. 

The division’s other match saw Spelthorne Sharks come out on top in a derby with Hounslow, but they were made to work extremely hard for it and won the tie breaker set by just two points (23-25, 25-20, 25-19, 23-25, 15-13). 

Loughborough Students moved up to second in Division 2 Central on the back of a weekend double over first MK City and then Newmarket – both on the road. 

Respective 3-2 (25-12, 16-25, 17-25, 25-15, 15-12) and 3-1 (25-23, 16-25, 18-25, 20-25) successes on Saturday and Sunday means they have now won six in a row after losing their first two matches of the 2024-25 campaign. 

Elsewhere, Norwich Spikers won in straight sets (25-17, 29-27, 25-23) but two of those by just two points at Cambridge and are fourth with games in hand on those above them. 

In Division 2 North, Manchester Marvels continued their serene progress, making it six victories on the spin by overcoming Wigan Seahawks on the road (25-18, 26-24, 25-17) on Sunday. 

The Lancastrians were more successful on Saturday as they defeated Newcastle Staffs 2 3-0 (25-12, 25-19, 25-22), while Sheffield won by the same score at bottom club Harrogate (25-23, 25-18, 25-13). 

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In Women’s Division 1, Newcastle Knights were made to sweat to keep their unbeaten record going before winning in five at Richmond. 

They were 2-1 down and up against it but eventually pulled through 24-26, 25-18, 12-25, 25-11, 15-10, then found it much easier in their second match in the capital on Sunday, prevailing 25-11, 25-12, 26-24. 

A cracking match in Liverpool between two of the division’s top teams saw Everton Belugas edge a five-set thriller against Essex Trinity. 

The visitors were unable to field three of their regular players, but fought resolutely before being overcome in the decider (23-25, 25-17, 25-16, 20-25, 15-7). 

Belugas are now second in the table and level on points with London Giants, who are third after overturning a first set loss to post a 3-1 (21-25, 25-18, 25-23, 25-15) triumph at Leicester Athena Phoenix. 

All the top three were victorious in Division 2 East, led by leaders Cambridge, who beat Norwich Spikers 25-23, 19-25, 25-22, 25-17). 

Northampton (second) had too much in the end for Onyx, running out 22-25, 25-19, 25-20, 25-22), while Richmond 2 went third after taking advantage of a double weekend to pick up five points against Onyx (25-17, 19-25, 25-18, 24-26, 15-9) and then Dartford Chargers (25-12, 25-19, 25-20). 

Team South Wales are just one point off top spot with a game in hand in Division 2 West after beating their countrywomen Cardiff Falcons in straight sets (25-0, 25-11, 25-12). 

Urmston Grammar suffered a chastening three days in Division 2 North as they suffered two defeats during that time. 

They were beaten 3-0 by leaders Manchester Marvels on Thursday night (25-14, 25-11, 25-21) and again by Loughborough Students on Saturday (25-19, 25-17, 25-14) to leave them rooted to the bottom of the table.  

Manchester Liberators climbed to third in the Division 3 North table as they secured double victory in their triangular clash with Leeds Gorse 2 and Manchester Marvels Mystics, both by 3-1 scorelines. 

The other match saw the Mystics come from 2-0 down to win a marathon fourth set 30-28 and then clinch the decider 15-12. 

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