NVL Review (17th and 18th October) - Plenty of actions as new leaders emerge across the league

Men’s NVL

Sheffield seem to be the pacesetters of Division 1 North, with a 3-1 victory against Coventry and Warwick Riga (25-15, 25-20, 23-25, 25-15)  putting them four points clear of nearest rivals Leeds Gorse - who will have to wait until 8th November for the right of reply when they match up against Lincoln Cannons.

In Division 1 South, London Aces are top of the pile after a 3-1 win over 2nd place Southampton (25-15, 22-25., 25-19, 25-20) in the only fixture of the division this weekend - putting the Aces 6 points ahead over the Hampshire side.

Division 2 Central saw Spelthorne start their season off right with a clean sheet victory against Northampton (25-16, 26-24, 25-21) in their first game of the season, putting them just one point behind leaders Tamworth Spartans - who they will face on 25th October.

Intervolley Manchester would take a page out of Spelthorne’s book and cruise past opponents Stockport 3-0 (25-8, 25-13, 25-14) in Division 2 North, putting them tied second with Nottingham Rockets. 

Division 2 South had London Lionhearts extending their lead out front with a 3-1 win over Exeter Storm (25-16, 22-25, 25-15, 25-21) and solidifying their place as a promotion contender.

In Division 3 North, Everton Manatees had a back-and-forth thriller with Hull Thunder, with the Manatees avoiding a shock and prevailing 3-1 (27-25, 21-25, 28-26, 26-24). Their match against Manchester Moss Side Jaguars would have their fortunes reversed, as the Jaguars delivered Everton’s first loss of the season and won out 3-1. (25-22, 26-24, 18-25, 25-15). The Manatees still hold the top spot, but have their lead cut to two points from Legends Oldham.

Further down the country in Division 3 South West, Portsmouth United had plenty to be pleased about, winning both of their matches against Southampton 2 and Wiltshire Mavericks. Their first test against Southampton would go to five sets, but Portsmouth prevailed 3-2 (17-25, 25-18, 25-21, 21-25, 15-7). Wiltshire Mavericks would then step up to the plate and be defeated 3-1 by Portsmouth, but not without being pushed to the edge in nearly every set. (25-23, 25-23, 15-25, 25-23). Portsmouth’s double victory put them top of the table by just one point.

Women’s NVL

Northampton would make it two victories in two this weekend, starting off with a 3-2 victory over Everton Belugas (26-24, 19-25, 25-18, 22-25, 15-8) on Saturday, and then a 3-2 win over Loughborough Students (25-20, 17-25, 25-22, 23-25, 17-15) to snatch first place in the division by one point.

In the only fixture of Division 1 South, London Inter Crocs took a 3-0 victory against Bristol - the Somerset side putting up a spirited performance but ultimately failing to get a set across the line (25-18, 25-23, 25-18). The Crocs’s 3-0 victory will come in handy, as they currently trail Onyx London by three points for the top league spot.

In Division 2 North, the top two teams - Newcastle Staffs and Sheffield came to blows, and the Staffs reigned supreme with a 3-1 win (28-26, 21-25, 25-18, 25-20) over the South Yorkshire side to extend their lead to five points.

Manchester Marvels Mystics pushed Leeds Gorse 2 down the table with a 3-0 triumph (25-17, 25-17, 25-19) as they look to chase the top end.

Division 2 Central saw Tamworth Spartans suffer a blow to their quest for the top spot as MK City beat them at home 3-2 (25-12, 22-25, 25-19, 25-23, 15-12). Bedminster took over the top spot in the division with a 3-0 victory over Black Country (25-22, 25-20, 25-13) and put a two point buffer between themselves and the Spartans - who will aim to dethrone Bedminster when they clash this weekend.

Division 2 South’s only fixture this weekend had Herts take a 3-0 victory over Sussex Dolphins (25-7, 25-18, 25-23) and, as a result, top of the table by two points over London Ravens - who will aim to swoop in and take the spot back from Herts when the pair meet later this week.

The only fixture in Divison 3 was a triangular between Lincoln Cannons, Coventry and Warwick Riga and Norwich Spikers in the Central region. The Cannons would be the victor on the day, winning their matches against both Riga and the Spikers 3-1. (25-17, 18-25, 25-15, 29-27 against Riga, 19-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-17 against Norwich). Their efforts would push them to joint first along with Rhinos Cambridge - the frontrunner of the two being decided on 1st November. 

Coventry & Warwick would bounce back from their Cannons defeat against Norwich 3-1 (22-25, 25-23, 25-19, 25-18) to push the Spikers further down the pecking order after a difficult weekend for the Norfolk side.

Keep up to date with all the NVL fixtures and results by clicking here.