NVL Review (3rd and 4th October) - London duo Onyx women and Aces men start strongly 

More teams will get their 26-27 campaigns underway this weekend, after which the league tables will begin to take some kind of shape. 

Women's NVL 

Onyx London women got their new season at the higher level of Division 1 South off to a flyer as they saw off fellow newly-promoted side Reading Aces. 

The battle of last season's champions saw the London side put home advantage to good use to win in straight sets against last season's National Shield finalists, coming out on top 25-17, 25-20, 25-12. 

In Division 2 North, another promoted side, York Falcons had a tough baptism at the higher level after they lost out 25-14, 25-15, 25-21 at fellow Yorkshire side Sheffield. 

Two games were concluded in Division 2 Central, including Bedminster, who beat their city rivals Bristol 2 in four hard-fought sets 25-20, 26-28, 25-14, 25-19. 

The other match saw Tamworth Spartans overcome their West Midlands neighbours Wombourne as they recovered from a disappointing third set to win 25-19, 25-20, 9-25, 25-21. 

A five-set thriller unfolded on the south coast where Wessex marked their first game after dropping down a division by reverse sweeping Sussex Dolphins. 

The visitors looked to be in the driving seat at Parkstone Grammar School as they edged the first two tight sets, but Wessex nicked a close third and never looked back, eventually posting a 23-25, 21-25, 25-23, 25-14, 15-12 victory. 

Newcastle Staffs got their season off to a strong start against The Miners Doncaster, securing a 3-1 triumph on the road (11-25, 25-19, 26-24, 25-16).

The opening triangular of the Division 3 North season saw Everton Narwhals begin well, defeating both Hull Thunder (3-1) and Chester Amazons (3-0) in relative comfort, before the latter beat the former 3-1 in the third fixture. 

NVL newcomers Wiltshire Mavericks had a first weekend to remember as they recorded a double success in Division 3 South West. 

They recovered from dropping the first set to beat Plymouth 3-1 and then also edged past Portsmouth in five after leading 1-0 and 2-1. 

It was also a great start for Cardiff Falcons, who travelled across the border to defeat hosts City of Bristol 3-0 and Southampton 2 3-1. The south coast club won the third leg of the triangular 3-1. 

A brace of 3-1 wins saw Spelthorne Future Stars begin on a high, with Team Essex Ravens and Worthing the beaten sides. The Eastern region side eased to a straight sets success in the other encounter. 

Men's NVL 

London Aces finished the 25-26 season well and carried that form into their opening Division 1 South fixture this season, beating newly-promoted MK City in three. 

But the Buckinghamshire side could take hope from the fact that they pushed the hosts hard, particularly in a mammoth third set before losing out 25-22, 25-20, 32-30. 

Like their women's team, Sheffield were first day victors – but were made to work for it – as they saw off Division 1 North new boys Darkstar Derbyshire (25-23, 26-24, 25-18). 

It was a good day for Midlands clubs beginning with T in Division 2 Central as Tamworth Spartans and Telford both won. 

The Spartans hosted Reading Aces and triumphed 25-21, 25-9, 25-27, 25-17, while Telford marked their maiden appearance following an unbeaten promotion season by overcoming Leicester 27-25, 25-19, 21-25, 25-13. 

Leeds Gorse 2 won a closely-contested Division 2 North fixture as they travelled down the M1 to get the better of Sheffield Springers (25-27, 20-25, 24-26). 

London Lionhearts Leo began their Division 2 South campaign well after going up last season, edging out Kent Invicta, with just two points separating the teams in two of the sets (25-23, 25-18, 25-23). 

Fellow capital side Onyx London also started with a W, winning a five set thriller against London Baks (17-25, 25-18, 18-25, 25-21, 15-11).

After their early National Shield exit, Brazukas London bounced back with an excellent pair of results on their NVL bow, getting the better of fellow newcomers Red Eagles Luton 3-1 and then winning 16-14 in a decider against Chelmsford, who beat the Hertfordshire side 3-1 in their other triangular fixture. 

There was also delight on debut for London Lynx as they nicked a tight first set that allowed them to ease to a 3-0 victory over Team Essex Estonians. 

Wiltshire Mavericks doubled up in Division 3 South East following relegation beating hosts Bedminster 3-0 and newcomers Weymouth 2 3-1. Weymouth won the battle against Bedminster by a 3-1 margin. 

Another side who had suffered the drop, also hit the ground running as Cardiff Panthers defeated new side Portsmouth United 3-1 and Worthing 3-0, with United taking a five-setter in the third match. 

Norwich Spikers continued the relegated sides starting well theme as they saw off both Cambridge 2 and GNG Bedford by the same 3-1 margin. GNG recorded the same score in triumphing in the remaining game. 

Manchester Marvels Marauders came out on top 3-1 against Urmston Grammar in a one-off Division 3 North fixture. 

The other, a triangular, saw newcomers Everton Manatees enjoy the best of the action, edging out Harrogate 3-2 and city rivals Liverpool 3-1. 

Harrogate triumphed in straight sets in the other leg. 

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