NVL preview (15th and 16th November) - Polonia men eye top spot, as UON women bid to stay there

Men’s NVL

IBB Polonia have the opportunity to go top of Division 1 South when they host Southampton at the Harris Lowe Academy Willesden Sports Centre on Saturday. 

The Londoners, relegated from the DYNAMIK Men’s Super League at the end of last season, will look to make it four straight wins, which would see them climb above Cambridge, who have played a game more. 

One of Exeter Storm and Wessex will record their first victory of the season as they meet in Devon while, on Sunday, Essex Blaze will hope to bounce back from their first defeat of the season last week, against Cambridge, when they host London Aces. 

First plays third in Division 1 North as leaders Manchester Marvels, who have won four matches from five, go to unbeaten Newcastle Staffs. 

Sheffield and Stockport are the only two teams in the division yet to taste victory and they meet at the All Saints Sports Centre. 

Rhinos Cambridge welcome Coventry and Warwick Riga on Sunday. 

The top two teams in Division 2 North both have home matches as they bid to keep their 100% records in the league going. 

Darkstar Derbyshire entertain Hull Thunder while Sheffield Springers meet Lincoln Cannons. 

Two other sides go in search of their first wins, with Newcastle Staffs 2 going to Everton Dugongs and Nottingham Rockets at Leeds Gorse 2. 

Loughborough Students have the chance to strengthen their lead at the top of Division 2 Central on Saturday, but have a tough fixture to do so as they take on Oxford Bulls. 

Waiting to take advantage if they slip up will be Newmarket who are at home to Norwich Spikers. 

MK City, however, can close any gap that does open up on Sunday when they are on the road at Northampton. 

There are five matches in Division 2 South, with four of them taking place on Saturday. 

Dartford Crossers could go top of Division 2 South come Sunday night, but they would need to triumph in both their games to do so. 

The second-placed side first go to Wiltshire Mavericks on Saturday and then host third-placed Reading Aces on Sunday. 

Leaders Richmond Bucks are also in action and will look to stay in touch regardless of those results by registering a convincing home win over Cardiff Panthers. 

The Mavericks’ clash with Dartford will be their second within a matter of hours as they first take on Spelthorne Lions earlier in the day. 

The other Saturday fixture sees Kent Invicta and London Baks go head to head at Maidstone Grammar School for Girls. 

The top three sides in Division 3 North meet in an intriguing triangular on Sunday with unbeaten leaders Intervolley Manchester bidding to protect their record against Harrogate and Liverpool. 

Nuneaton Inferno play their first matches of the season in Division 3 Central as they meet two teams yet to register a win – hosts Darkstar Derbyshire 2 and Wombourne. 

Team South Wales will hope home advantage can help them maintain their unbeaten start, but they will have a difficult assignment as leaders Bristol 2 – who have won four from four – visit, along with Spelthorne Tigers. 

There are no matches in Division 3 South East. 

Women’s NVL 

University of Nottingham will step up their bid to make an instant return to the MAAREE Women’s Super League as they entertain Manchester Marvels Mayhem in Division 1 North. 

The Green and Golds will hope for a fourth consecutive win to start the season, but will have to be on their guard against a visiting team who have made a bright start at this level following promotion. 

Second-placed Cambridge make the trip west to face Northampton, while, on Sunday, Everton Belugas and Loughborough Students will do battle at Litherland High School. 

As the only match in Division 1 South, London Giants can put daylight between themselves and second-placed Richmond if they prevail at Essex Trinity. 

It’s a big game in Division 2 North on Sunday as the top two face each, other, with Manchester Moss Side Jaguars enjoying home advantage against Manchester Liberators. 

Elsewhere, The Miners Doncaster play Lincoln Cannons and Everton Narwhals host Newcastle Staffs. 

Onyx London have the opportunity to make up ground on the top two in the Division 2 East promotion race when Norwich Spikers come to the capital. 

Richmond 2 and Herts are also in action. 

In Division 2 West, there are two matches as Reading Aces and Southampton both bid for a second success of the season and Cardiff Falcons and Coventry and Warwick Riga seek a first. 

Two maximum-point wins for Darkstar Derbyshire 2 would lift them to the top of Division 3 Central, with winless Coventry and Warwick Riga 2 and Nottingham Rockets providing the triangular opposition

There are no matches in Division 3 North, South East or South West.