National Shield Preview Round of 32 offers exciting ties

After a 3-0 win over Tendring, Dartford Chargers will face MK City in the Women’s Shield on Saturday. The MK side received a bye into the round of 32 and will now look to test themselves against a team from a higher division.

Dartford currently sit second in Division 2 East with a 2-1 record, while Division 3 Central’s MK City hold an even 2-2 in the league and will be eager to cause an upset.

Essex Ravens host Deep Dish Crystal Palace, with both teams skipping the opening round and drawing each other in the round of 32. Deep Dish aren’t part of the NVL but will aim to make their mark in the Shield, while the Ravens seek to turn their fortunes around after a slow start in Division 3 South East.

Sheffield welcome The Miners Doncaster in Saturday’s final Women’s Shield match. Both sides enter the fixture following NVL defeats and will hope to build some momentum to carry back into league play.

Sunday brings a packed schedule with 13 matches. Portsmouth play host to Oxford Eagles, with the Eagles—one division higher—looking to show their quality away from home.

Leicester Athena Nova meet Tamworth Spartans in a Midlands showdown.

University of Bristol take on Weymouth at Clifton College Sports Centre, where the south coast team will aim to topple the side that eliminated Spelthorne Sharks in the previous round.

Hull Thunder travel west to Urmston Grammar, making their first Shield appearance of the season after a bye into this round.

Farnborough Phoenix face Bedminster 2, with the Bristol side hoping to emulate the success of their first team, who reached last year’s final.

Sussex Dolphins entertain Cambridge, hoping to reverse their early-season struggles at the foot of Division 3 South East. Cambridge, meanwhile, arrive in strong form and will look to keep their momentum going.

Rhinos Cambridge make the trip to MK City 2 after a dramatic five-set victory over Worthing in the previous round.

Ashcombe Dorking host Reading Aces, with both teams advancing directly to this stage after receiving byes.

Wombourne take on Nottingham Rockets at Dudley Evolve on Sunday afternoon.

Everton Narwhals meet Division 2 North rivals Manchester Liberators, with just a single point separating them in the league standings.

Another Manchester side, Marvels Mystics, clash with Moss Side Jaguars in a local derby. The Jaguars will look to take advantage of their opponent’s bye and claim bragging rights in the city.

Ashfield Vipers welcome Coventry and Warwick Riga in another Midlands tie. The Vipers know their opponents well, with Riga coming off a commanding victory over West Midlands rivals Nuneaton Flames in the last round.

The final match in the Women’s Shield round of 32 sees Loughborough Students 2 travel to face Lincoln Cannons. The Cannons battled through four sets against Newcastle Staffs, while the student side also needed four to overcome Darkstar Derbyshire 2.

In the Men's National Shield, Spelthorne Lions face familiar opposition in their own clubmates, the Spelthorne Tigers. The Lions advanced with a win over Cardiff Panthers, while the Tigers came through a thrilling five-set encounter against Wombourne, setting up a friendly—but competitive—clash between teammates.

Deep Dish Crystal Palace now have a chance to reach the last 16 as they meet Red Eagles Luton. The Eagles will be tough opponents, having secured an impressive victory over Essex Estonians in the round of 64.

Liverpool host Manchester Liberators in a Division 3 North showdown. Liverpool lead the league with three wins from four matches and will look to maintain that momentum.

The Army will face Guildford International, both coming off commanding 3-0 victories in the previous round.

Weymouth meet Bristol 2, with the visitors having battled through four sets against Team South Wales to progress.

Everton Dugongs welcome Hull Thunder on Saturday, a matchup between familiar Division 2 North rivals. With identical league records, both teams will hope the Shield helps them gain the upper hand.

Newcastle Panthers play Darkstar Derbyshire at Sport Central, with the visitors aiming to overcome the challenge of a long trip north.

Nottingham Rockets head down the M1 to face Northampton at Moulton College, keen to demonstrate the form that earned them promotion last season.

Watford take on Cambridge, having advanced past Tendring in the previous round.

Leeds Gorse 2 meet Leicester at Ruth Gorse Academy, with Leicester coming off a solid win over Newcastle Staffs 2.

Hull Thunder 2 will go up against Legends Volleyball, the Oldham-based side hoping to carry forward the momentum from their dominant victory over Isle of Man Falcons.

Brazukas host Worthing on Sunday at Score Leisure Centre. The Volleyball England Club of the Year will look to make it two straight wins after their 3-1 triumph away to MK City in the last round.

Oxford Bulls welcome local rivals Reading Aces to Ferry Leisure Centre. Both teams won their previous matches, with the Aces coming through in four sets against Urbon Portsmouth.

Newmarket 2 face GNG Bedford, while BDS Gurdwara Birmingham take on Lincoln Cannons in the last two ties of the weekend.

All Cup and Shield fixtures can be found here.