21 Mar 2024
NVL preview (23rd and 24th March): Kings of Court among those bidding to seal divisional titles
That certainly looks likely to be the case in men’s Division 3 North Central where Kings of Court Boston go into their triangular fixture knowing two wins will see them finish as champions.
However, if they were to lose to one of their two opponents, Leeds Gorse 2, then the West Yorkshire club could top the Lincolnshire side’s points tally if they win their remaining two matches that will follow.
Both sides will also have to ensure they come out on top in their other match of the weekend against Bradford Eagles if they want to achieve their respective goals.
A second triangular match, also played on Sunday, will feature three teams in the bottom half of the table as Coventry and Warwick Riga 2 host Wombourne 2 and Darkstar Derbyshire 2.
In Division 3 North West, Chester could go top of the table on Sunday with two wins in their triangular fixture against fellow high-flyers Wigan Seahawks and Urmston Grammar, who also have a third game at home to Manchester Marvels Mavericks as they bid to pull fixtures in.
That will come after leaders Newcastle Staffs 2’s home game with InterVolley Manchester, who will have their own opportunity to pull clear at the summit, albeit if it is for only 24 hours or so.
Regardless of watch Chester do, though, Staffs know they can finish the season on top so long as they keep winning their remaining matches.
The top two go head to head in Division 3 South East, where only a victory is good enough for Northampton as they host Rhinos Cambridge – if they want to keep their title hopes alive that is.
The visitors, on the other hand, could afford to lose and still be crowned champions as they have two games in hand to play with.
The bottom two also do battle at Leigh Academy, Blackheath where London Wildcats can move to within a point of Essex Etonians should they come out on top.
Southampton will hope to celebrate the Division 3 South West title on Saturday when they entertain Reading Aces, where a victory will be enough to see them home.
The only side who could mathematically still catch them are Cardiff Panthers, who have only played six of their 12 league games so far.
To do so in the event of a slip-up on the South Coast, however, the Panthers would need to come win – and handsomely so – in all their fixtures still to come, including in this weekend’s triangular, that also features Bedminster and Weymouth Waves.
Bristol (pictured top) will finish as champions of Division 2 South with a maximum 14 wins from 14 should they do the business at Spelthorne Lions on Saturday.
The fact they have not already got the title wrapped up is testament to the fantastic opposition West Country rivals Exeter Storm have provided all season, who host Wessex knowing a point is good enough to clinch second.
City of Bristol can lift themselves off the bottom when they take on Guildford International, who are one place and one point above them, with both clubs having recorded just one league victory each.
It’s crunch time for Division 2 Central’s top two as top-of-the-table current leaders Hounslow need to overcome fourth-placed Newmarket in their last fixture to be in with a shot of finishing top.
Second-placed London Baks will bid to keep their own title charge on track in a tricky fixture at third-placed Norwich Spikers.
Should they prevail, however, the capital club know they can make up the existing two-point deficit with their game in hand, against Wombourne on Easter weekend.
The bottom two are also in action on Saturday as Dartford Crossers welcome MK City.
The top three teams are separated by just two points in Division 2 North and, while nothing is set to be decided this weekend, a loss for any of them could be terminal to their title chances.
Sheffield have the chance to go top of the pile if they win their final two games at Loughborough Students on Saturday and against leaders Hull Thunder on Sunday.
The Humberside club, meanwhile, will be out to protect their slender advantage at the summit as second-placed Lincoln Cannons are also in action at home to bottom club Everton Dugongs.
Should the top two sides secure victories this weekend, then a winner-takes-all match is in prospect after Easter in their respective final matches of the season.
Loughborough have a second game on Sunday at home to Harrogate, which will round off both side’s campaigns, while Darkstar Derbyshire conclude against a Liverpool side who have one game left to play.
The teams fighting it out for the Division 1 play-off spot are all in action, with Essex Blaze having already been crowned champions to earn a Super League place for next season.
Second meets fourth in an all-London affair as the Aces host the Giants at Lambeth Academy, while third-placed Black Country face fellow West Midlands side Coventry and Warwick Riga.
A third Saturday match pairs Weymouth Beach with Tamworth Spartans.
The Blaze play their penultimate game of the season on Sunday as they visit bottom-of-the-table Manchester Marvels.
In the women’s competition, Onyx will bid to end their season by lifting the Division Three South East championship by ending the season with 16 wins from 16.
They need just a point from their triangular fixture with Richmond 3 and their nearest challengers, second-placed Cambridge.
Two more triangulars also take place on Sunday, with third-placed Reading Aces taking on Spelthorne Sharks and Sussex Dolphins 2 and Tendring, Essex Etonians and Dartford Warriors also going head to head.
Portsmouth will hope to push their Division 3 South West title hopes with double victory in their triangular fixture with City of Bristol and Plymouth.
They have played two less games than the three teams above them and will hope to close the gap by securing a maximum six points.
Black Country can wrap up the Division 3 Central title if they maintain their 100 per cent record and make it 14 victories in a row in their triangular against Nottingham Rockets and Lincoln Cannons.
On Sunday, three more teams will vie for points, with Ashfield Vipers, Wombourne and second-placed Newcastle Staffs meeting in Nottinghamshire.
In Division 3 North, Manchester Moss Side Jaguars, Liverpool and Manchester Marvels Magic will conclude their respective campaigns in a triangular fixture.
Six teams are in action in Division 2 South, with London Giants having the luxury of taking on Bedminster with the title already assured.
Elsewhere, Ashcombe and Dorking entertain Sussex Dolphins and Cardiff Falcons host Bristol 2.
Northampton will bid to keep their outside title bid alive in Division 2 Central, but they will have to triumph in matches on Saturday and Sunday if they are to do it.
First they take on Loughborough Students and then they will entertain Essex Trinity, who can themselves go top of the table by a point should they emerge victorious.
Oxford Eagles welcome Coventry and Warwick Riga 2 on Sunday while Loughborough have their second match of the weekend when they host Rhinos Cambridge.
Champions-elect Sunderland can seal the deal in Division 2 North over the weekend should they see off Tamworth Spartans and Urmston Grammar, both at home.
Manchester Marvels Mystics are also in action on consecutive days as they visit first Everton Narwhals and then Sheffield.
All 10 Division 1 teams are in action over the weekend, with Everton Belugas (fourth) and Richmond (third) playing twice, including a meeting against each other on Sunday.
Before that, the Merseyside club’s Saturday game sees them entertain title contenders Stockport, while the Londoners travel to Shield finalists Leicester Athena.
Leaders Wessex play on Sunday at Southampton knowing there is little room for error, while London Inter Crocs prepare for the visit of bottom club MK City.
The remaining game sees relegation-threatened Bristol needing to triumph over Dartford Chargers, who are already down, to keep alive their slender hopes of staying up.
For all the fixtures across the country, click here.
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