Opening Weekend 2026 day two - Revenge mission successfully completed by Knights

In a highly-charged atmosphere in front of an engrossed crowd at Loughborough University's Sir David Wallace Building, a match that see-sawed first one way then the other saw the North East club hit back from 2-1 down in sets to come through at the death.  

Sam Shenton's Knights flew out of the blocks and roared their way through the first set at speed, but Giants gathered themselves and, with the help of some strong blocking at the net, they took the next two, including clinching five points in a row at the end of the third. 

But just when the momentum seemed to have swung, Newcastle dug deep to find something extra and ensure that the match went the distance. 

The Knights were in control for much of the deciding set, only for Giants to square things up at 13-13, but a clinical kill from Isaac Gibbs paved the way for Jeff Webb to spark the Knights celebrations as his spike was blocked out. 

At the end of it all, the final score was 25-15, 23-25, 22-25, 25-23, 15-13.  

Malory Eagles underlined their credentials as title contenders as they made it two wins from two for the weekend to open things up on the DYNAMIK Men's Court. 

Having seen off Newcastle Staffs on day one, their largely 'Brit Pack' were also too strong for University of Nottingham. 

They were never really troubled by the Green and Golds and eased to a 25-19, 25-16, 25-20 success, finished off by a trademark super spike from talisman Nathan Fullerton. 

Essex Rebels also have a 100% win record after their first two matches, but dropped a point after being taken to five sets by Newcastle Staffs, who showed great character to twice come back from a set down and go the distance. 

The decider was level in the early stages, before the Colchester-based side took a decisive grip either side of the side change to run out overall 25-23, 22-25, 25-20, 22-25, 15-9 victors. 

The final match on the men's court, and indeed the last game to finish, was Richmond Docklands' clash with Team Essex Blaze, where both teams were looking to get off the mark. 

It was the Londoners – much changed from their team last season – who did just that, wrapping up a convincing 25-15, 25-22, 25-22 victory that will give them confidence for the rest of the season. 

Essex Rebels are well-fancied in many quarters to win the overall title this year in the MAAREE Women's Super League, but they were put under pressure early on by newly-promoted London Giants, with both sides having won their respective Saturday openers. 

The Giants found early momentum to take the first set and were also up in the second, but Alex Chinery's Rebels gradually worked their way back into the match to level and then became increasingly comfortable as the game wore on. 

Rebels eventually took it 23-25, 25-19, 25-16, 25-12, but it was valuable learning for Alireza Toloo Kian, whose side have shown they more than belong at elite level. 

It was also a comeback story for Newcastle Knights, who were second on court against Lionhearts Vinarius. 

Just like the Rebs, they went 2-0 for the season but had to hit back from a set down, reeling off the next three to triumph 20-25, 26-24, 25-18, 25-17, with an extended second set proving crucial. 

Team SideOut made it a hat-trick of women's sides to remain unbeaten comfortably beating University of Nottingham 25-16, 25-20, 25-11 in the final match on that side of the arena. 

Mark Kontopoulos' side were slick and well drilled in cruising to a 25-16, 25-20, 25-11 against Freddie Fairbairn's newly-promoted East Midlanders. 

Third on court, Malory Eagles bounced back from their agonising five-set defeat to the Knights to overcome injury-hit Durham Palatinates in straight sets. 

They ran through the first two with a degree of comfort, but Paul Welsh's side led for much of the third, only for the Eagles to come on strong when it mattered to seal a 25-15, 25-15, 26-24 triumph.  

Images by Abdoulie Ndure and Nathaniel Macrae. 

You can watch all the action back on the Super League YouTube Channel here.