Men's play-off preview - Richmond Docklands (Super League) v Black Country (NVL Division 1)

Two years ago, the West Midlands club lost in the play-offs and last year they narrowly missed out on claiming the top two place. 

This year, though, Middle  and England international Will Evans believes things can be different. 

After narrowly edging out Bristol to finish second behind league winners Leeds Gorse, the team now face a play-off against seventh placed Richmond Docklands at the University of Cambridge Sports Centre on Saturday (12th April) to decide who will take the DYNAMIK Men’s Super League’s final place for 2025-26. 

“It’s been a long, tough season, but ultimately we have achieve what we wanted and given ourselves a shot by being in the play-offs,” said Evans. 

“We wanted to try to compete with Leeds for top spot but we knew they would be very strong and they have proven that they deserve to be back in Super League. 

“But we did manage to beat them towards the end of the season and we have taken a lot of confidence from that as it shows we are progressing in the right direction. 

“A lot of this squad has been together from when we were in Division 3 and we all know what to do and how to do it. We have real character on the team, which really helps us and makes us stronger. 

“This season has been hard because it’s more games than we are used to playing, but, at the same time, we have also been able to use the back-to-back weekend matches to build up some momentum. 

“In some respects, it has been quality over quantity, but if we can get into Super League, where it’s down to eight teams next season, we can definitely focus on trying to raise that quality.” 

Evans is quick to pay tribute to thei efforts of a number of clubs in the local area who have contributed to the club's overall success.

He hopes a promotion would be a reward for them and all the people at the club who continue to strive to improve standards year on year.

Evans added: “It would be very special if we could do it, especially as we are a close-knit squad. 

“Richmond are very established in Super League with a great coach (Marcel Sivak), who I've worked with for England, and a strong setter, but we feel we have the capability to match them. 

“We showed last year in the National Cup that we have it in us beating a Super Leaue team (Newcastle Staffs, then in Super League) and also running the University of Nottingham close. 

“We’re very grateful to clubs in the area, including Cleobury, Tettenhall, Redhill and Stourbridge, who have all been part of building up BC to compete at this level. 

“We are a club that is welcoming of players from everywhere, but we’re also very proud to have a good chunk of home-grown players, who have put so much effort in. 

“If we do make it, it would be a great sense of achievement to all those people who have been involved to this point, on and off the court. 

“We are almost at the end goal, but we still have work to do if we are to complete the journey.” 

Evans knows, however, that Richmond will not give up their place in Super League easily and, having finished the season in seventh, the South West London club will feel they have what it takes to get the job done, with some improved performances in the latter stages of the campaign. 

Libero Ivo Dobra believes the team has begun to rediscover their rhythm in recent weeks after a bright start to 2024-24 was followed by a period of struggle. 

“We have found it hard to find our best at times this season and we’ve had a few players leave and others come in so there has been quite a lot of turnaround and it can be hard to find your focus,” he said. 

“But we finished the season quite well, beating Essex Blaze and Nottingham and taking two sets off regular season league winners Essex Rebels. We fought for every point, did our best and did what we needed to do to get in the play-off. 

“At the end of the season, we were following what was going on in Division 1 and Black Country did very well to fight off Bristol to get second spot. 

“They have been close in terms of getting in the Super League for a while now, so we know they have some good players and will be dangerous. 

“We managed to get along to watch their game against Bristol, so we have looked to get as much infimration as we can to work with. 

“We don’t think we are going in as favourites because we are a Super League team as we have huge respect for them and know that we will have to be on our guard in a difficult game.” 

Richmond know the importance of retaining their top-flight status and Dobra, who joined the club in 2022-23 from the University of Westminster, is ready for the battle. 

He said: “It’s probably the most important game the club has had for a while because we want that legacy of being a Super League club. 

“We are fighting not only for ourselves, but also the people who have played for the club in the past and will do in the future. 

“It’s going to be tough, but it means a lot to everyone. For a lot of us, it’s the first time we have been in a relegation battle, so we have to make sure we respond in the right way if we make mistakes, or have a tough spell in the match, and find a way to win.”

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You can watch the Richmond Docklands v Black Country match by clicking here and also tune in to all the women's play-off matches on the Volleyball England YouTube Channel.