Super League and NVL Preview (22nd and 23rd March) - crunch game in Men's Division 1 play-off race

It will see an East Midlands derby between play-off bound Darkstar Derbyshire women and already-relegated University of Nottingham. 

Though there is little riding on the game in terms of league positions, which are already set, for the hosts the incentive of a morale-boosting victory will be at the forefront of their minds ahead of a play-off against NVL Division 1’s second place team, which will most likely be London Giants. 

That match will take place in Cambridge on Saturday 12th April and determined who will play top-flight volleyball, so maintaining the momentum Darkstar have recently built up will be at the forefront of Head Coach Maria Bertelli’s mind. 

But while the Super League is all but wrapped up and thoughts are turning ahead to Final 4 and play-off matches, the NVL still has two full weekend of action to run. 

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In Men’s NVL Division 1, a critical match in the bid to secure the play-off spot behind champions Leeds Gorse takes place at Redhill School on Sunday, as third-placed Black Country host second-placed Bristol. 

Should the visitors seal a maximum points win, their position as runners-up will be secured. 

However, if they win 3-2, or Black Country win, then they could still be overhauled if results go in the West Midlanders’ favour. 

Fourth-placed London Aces have a busy weekend as the end of their season approaches hosting fellow capital side London Baks, who desperately need points to have any hope of avoiding the drop, on Saturday and then travel to fifth-placed Newcastle Staffs on Sunday.  

Two more Sunday games will have a big influence on the battle to avoid the drop as Tamworth Spartans, in ninth, visit mid-table Exeter Storm, while Lincoln Cannons, in eighth, welcome bottom club Hull Thunder. 

There are two matches in Division 2 North, both involving Darkstar Derbyshire, who travel to Newcastle Staffs 2 on Saturday and Kings of Court on Sunday as they bid to chase down a third-place finish. 

Norwich Spikers will have a big say in who goes down in Divison 2 Central as they host the bottom two clubs in consecutive days, entertaining Cambridge (Saturday) and then going to Northampton (Sunday). 

It’s a key game week in Division 2 South at both ends of the table where Southampton need a maximum points win to guarantee promotion and Witshire Mavericks the same result to ensure survival. 

Whoever fails in that aim will alert their rivals in the match between Cardiff Falcons and Richmond Bucks, who could take advantage by staying up or going up with a victory of their own. 

Should the Welsh team lose, however, then they will be relegated regardless and if Bucks are defeated they will miss out on the top two whatever happens elsewhere. 

Wessex, meanwhile, can enjoy their final game of the season at Spelthorne Lions knowing they are already champions. 

Only Division 3 North West teams are in action at that level in the men’s competition, but there are plenty of games being contested across two triangulars

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Everton Dugongs will hope to take a big step towards promotion – and a possible title win, by moving top with wins over InterVolley Manchester and Sheffield 2. 

Manchester Moss Side and Liverpool can both keep the pressure on with victory over the other and Urmston Grammar. 

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Just one match in Women’s Division 1 will see a capital derby between London Inter Crocs and London Giants, with the latter hoping to draw level on points with table toppers Newcastle, Knights, albeit having played a game more. 

Manchester Marvels will seal the Division 2 North championship if they can beat Everton Narwhals at home on Sunday in their penultimate game. 

If they fail to do so, they will play off with second-placed Loughborough the following weekend in a winner takes all match. 

Herts must win their final match at Onyx on Saturday to stand any chance of staying in Division 2 East while Cambridge can seal top spot if they pick up at least a point at Norwich Spikers. 

There are no matches in Division 2 West this weekend, ahead of a big final raft of matches on 29tth and 30th March, nor are there fixtures in Division 3 North, Division 3 South East, Division 3 South West. 

But there is a triangular in Division 3 Central where can secure second spot and a play-off place with successes over Coventry and Warwick Riga 2 and Leicester Athena Nova.

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