NVL Preview (14th April): Giants and Black Country bid for play-off spot in showdown

Two promotion play-off spots are to be still to be decided going into the final week or regular season action in the NVL, with just a handful of matches still to be played.

All games are being played on the Sunday, with the pick of them the Men’s Division winner-takes-all match between London Giants and Black Country. 

Either side will clinch second place and, with it a match against Newcastle Staffs for the right to play in the Super League next season, should they secure a 3-0 or 3-1 victory. 

The West Midlanders would also claim a play-off spot should they lose 3-2 as the teams would finish level on points but they would retain a superior set quotient. 

With so much at stake, it is sure to make for an engrossing afternoon of play at the capital’s Clapham Leisure Centre. 

Other teams hunting a play-off spot are in Division 3 South West, where both Worthing and Cardiff Panthers (pictured) could still claim that right. 

The South Coast club currently occupy second spot having completed their matches, but they could be overtaken by the Welshmen should they one of their two matches in their triangular with Urbond Portsmouth and Reading Aces. 

The only other action scheduled in the men’s competition is in Division 3 North Central, as York Vikings finish their season looking to make it 14 wins from 18 matches at Sheffield 2. 

There are no promotion or relegation issues to resolve in the women’s competition, but a smattering of fixtures remain. 

In Division 2 North, Sheffield have already finished in second place but will look to an end on a high when they host Urmston Grammar.  

Dartford Warriors, Reading Aces and Spelthorne Sharks meet in a triangular fixture at Beths Grammar School to conclude the Division 3 South East campaign. 

Left image by Liam Jefferies