NVL Preview (22nd and 23rd February)- Leeds look for Super League Promotion

Leeds Gorse have dominated this season, winning all but one of their matches and amassing an impressive 45 points. A victory this weekend, combined with Black Country failing to claim all three points at Cambridge, will guarantee their promotion to the Super League—reuniting them with their women’s team.

Black Country come into this crucial match after a 3-0 defeat to Newcastle Staffs last week. However, they did manage to take the first set off Leeds Gorse in their last encounter before losing momentum in the following three sets.

Meanwhile, Leeds Gorse have won their last two matches against Lincoln Cannons and Newcastle Staffs, giving them confidence heading into this decisive weekend.

Elsewhere, Bristol host Tamworth Spartans in a third-versus-ninth battle that could be crucial for Spartans’ survival in Division 1.

Newcastle Staffs still have a chance to make the playoffs, and their victory over Black Country last week strengthened their bid. However, they must avoid slipping up against Lincoln Cannons, who faced the formidable Malory Eagles in the Cup last week.

London Aces have a double match weekend, travelling north to face Hull Thunder on Saturday before taking on Leeds Gorse on Sunday. Suffering 3-1 losses to both Hull Thunder and Exeter Storm, they might have now missed out on a place in the playoffs.

King of Court and Wigan Seahawks hit the road, facing Sheffield and Leeds Gorse 2, respectively in Division 2 North.

With Manchester Marvels leading the table by seven points, Sheffield will need to capitalise on their game in hand to close the gap to four points.

Marvels can restore their seven-point lead with a win over Leeds Gorse 2 on Sunday. However, the Gorse second team will pose a tough challenge, having won their last three matches.

After their trip to Sheffield on Saturday, King of the Court will aim to take full advantage of their home fixture against Newcastle Staffs 2 on Sunday.

In Division 2 central MK City make the short trip to Cambridge on Saturday, with Cambridge seeking their first win of the year. Despite being winless in 10 matches, they still have a chance to climb out of the relegation zone if results go their way.

Another Cambridge side in action is Cambridge Rhinos, who face Norwich Spikers at UEA before hosting Northampton on Sunday.

Norwich Spikers also have a double-header, travelling to Coventry and Warwick Riga on Sunday. The Spikes previously defeated Riga 3-0 on November 9, but Riga have since gained momentum, winning two of their last three matches.

Additionally, Riga advanced to the National Shield semi-finals last weekend with a 3-2 victory over the Army.

Southampton face a busy weekend with two matches—first against Wessex, followed by a home clash with Spelthorne Lions on Sunday.

Wessex will look to carry their Shield success into their two fixtures this weekend. They first travel to Richmond Bucks on Sunday after a south coast derby against Southampton.

Richmond Bucks also have a double-header, facing Hounslow on Sunday.

The showdown between Wessex and Richmond Bucks could determine who tops the table by the end of the weekend, with a possible promotion spot to Division 1 at stake.

In Division 3 North Central, there are three triangular fixtures: Leicester hosts Darkstar 2 and Wombourne on Saturday, while Tamworth Spartans, Nottingham Rockets, and GNG Bedford battle it out on Sunday. Meanwhile, Black Country 2, Chester, and Wombourne 2 look to climb the standings.

In Division 3 North West Sheffield 2 host Urmston Grammar and Everton Dugongs in a triangular with Sheffield still looking for their first points of the season. 

Urmston are only three points behind Dugongs so could leapfrog them this weekend. 

Sheffield Springers invite two Manchester sides to the All Saints Sport Centre with Intervolley Manchester and Manchester Moss Side making the trip. Springers remain top of the table with a six-point gap between them and second place Moss Side. 

Liverpool also hosts Manchester Marvels Marauders and York Vikings. 

In Division 3 South East, there are three triangular taking place with Tendring taking on Dartford Crossers and London Wildcats. 

Urbond Portsmouth have Worthing and Onyx London visiting the south coast side this weekend with Onyx looking to go top of the table if they are able to claim all six points this weekend and Crossers aren’t successful this weekend in their ties. 

Guildford International take on Essex Estonians and Kent Invicta with Invicta looking to extend their lead at the top of the table having only lost one match so far this season. 

 

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Newcastle Knights, the league leaders, are not in action in Divison 1 this weekend. This allows London Giants to close the gap to just six points, with a game in hand after this weekend.

London Giants face Stockport, who lost 3-1 to them last weekend. The Greater Manchester side will aim to reverse their fortunes against the Giants, who are unbeaten in their last nine games—their last defeat coming at the hands of Newcastle Knights.

After securing their first win last weekend, Southampton will look to build on it when they host Leicester Athena Phoenix on Saturday.

Another team battling to stay in Division 1 is Coventry and Warwick Riga, who face seventh-place Everton. Following relegation from the Super League last year, Riga have struggled but showed promise in a hard-fought 3-2 loss to London Inter Crocs last week.

Loughborough Students have a double-header after their recent National Shield success. They aim to collect six points from a challenging weekend, first travelling to Newcastle Staffs (seventh in Division 2 North) on Saturday before taking on Sheffield. A perfect weekend could push them as high as third.

At the top of the Division 2 North table, Manchester Marvels (second) and Miners Doncaster (first) go head-to-head. Miners have suffered back-to-back defeats and will hope to bounce back. However, Marvels Mayhem have been in strong form, unbeaten in their last four matches—their last loss coming in a tight 3-2 match against this weekend’s opponent.

League leaders Cambridge face bottom-side Herts on Saturday, travelling to Queens School. Cambridge haven’t lost since their second match of the season in October against Richmond and now sit seven points clear at the top with 28 points.

Richmond 2 host Northampton, while Onyx London take on Dartford Chargers. Onyx and Dartford are level on points, with the last meeting between them ending in a thrilling 3-2 win for the Chargers, who will look to complete the double over the London side.

Three matches take place in Division 2 West.

League leaders Team South Wales travel to Black Country, who sit just two points above the bottom of the table. Cheltenham & Gloucester, the team below them, could leapfrog Black Country with a win over Bristol this weekend. However, with Black Country also facing Bedminster on Sunday, their stay above the relegation zone may be short-lived.

Hull Thunder host a triangular on Sunday, welcoming Leeds Gorse 2 and Chester Amazons, with the hosts looking to draw level on points with York Falcons.

Ashfield Vipers will take on Darkstar Derbyshire 2 and Coventry and Warwick Riga in Division 3 Central with Darkstar looking to to claim a playoff spot after Wombourne claimed the title last weekend. 

 Sussex Dolphins make the trip to St John Payne School in Essex to take on the Essex Ravens and Spelthorne Sharks in what could be an important weekend for the Sussex side with a chance to move seven points clear at the top of the table. 

An extremely busy weekend in Division 2 South West with three triangles taking place on Sunday. City of Bristol take on Bedminster 2 and Portsmouth, Reading aces play at Kendrick School against Weymouth and Southampton 2 with Plymouth taking on Bristol 2 and Plymouth UTV. 

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