NVL Preview (22nd and 23rd November) - Giants eye lead as West Midlands derby beckons 

Women’s NVL 

London Giants have the chance to stretch their lead at the top of Division 1 South due to second-placed Richmond’s inactivity when they bid to make it four out of four wins at Bedminster, who are currently third, on Sunday. 

Bristol, in fourth, go to Essex Trinity, in fifth, but before that, on Saturday, Wessex meet Team South Wales knowing that one of them will break their duck for the league season. 

An East Midlands derby is among the fixtures in Division 1 North as Loughborough Students host leaders University of Nottingham at the Parkin Sports Centre. 

Manchester Marvels Mayhem and Cambridge meet in a clash that is important for both sides as they try to keep pace at the top end of the table. 

In-form Northampton will seek a fourth victory on the trot as they travel to a Stockport side yet to get off the mark this season. 

There are four matches in Division 2 West, with only unbeaten leaders Oxford Eagles not in action. 

As they take a rest, Black Country and Reading Aces (pictured below), currently second and third will hope to capitalise when they face off at Redhill School. 

The Aces, unbeaten so far, could make up further ground on Sunday as they play their second game of the weekend in the West Midlands against Coventry and Warwick Riga.

Also in action are Southampton and Tamworth Spartans, who will look to build on their early mid-table positions, while bottom two Cardiff Falcons and Wombourne have the opportunity to put a first win on the board. 

Cambridge 2 could go clear at the top of Division 2 East if they can overcome Richmond 2 at North Cambridge Academy on Saturday. 

The Londoners play again on Sunday as they return home to face another side with a double weekend, Dartford Chargers. 

The Kent side’s Saturday fixture pairs them with Worthing, while Herts and Norwich Spikers will each be seeking a second win of the season.  

Seven of the right teams are in action in DIvision 2 North, with Manchester Moss Side Jaguars eyeing a sixth triumph from seven games when they encounter The Miners Doncaster. 

Second-placed Manchester Liberators are also at home against a Sheffield side who have only played two games so far and winless in both. 

Lincoln Cannons place twice over the weekend, welcoming Everton Narwhals on Saturday and then visiting Newcastle Staffs on Sunday. 

All nine teams feature over the weekend in Division 3 South West, across three triangular fixtures. 

Farnborough Phoenix have yet to drop a set since joining the NVL in racking up four consecutive wins and will bid to continue their streak third-placed Southampton 2 and Plymouth Mayflower. 

Fellow unbeaten side Bristol 2, a point further back face Weymouth and Plymouth while Bedminster 2, Portsmouth and City of Bristol meet at the Oasis Academy, Brislington. 

It’s also a busy weekend for the teams Division 3 South East, with leaders London Ravens, who have a 100% record after four matches, hoping to add to their tally against second-placed Spelthorne Sharks and struggling Sussex Dolphins. 

Essex Ravens host a triangular that also includes Richmond 3 and Invicta, while third-place Tendring wait unitl Sunday before entertaining Dartford Warriors and Ashcombe Dorking. 

Six matches across two triangulars make up the action in Division 3 Central, as leaders Rhinos Cambridge play Loughborough Students 2 and Darkstar Derbyshire 2 while second-placed Leicester Athena Nova entertain Coventry and Warwick Riga 2 and Ashfield Vipers. 

Pacesetters Manchester Marvels Mystics head across the Pennines to play Leeds Gorse 3 and Newcastle Staffs 2 in a Division 3 North triangular. 

At Litherland High School, Everton Seadragons, Ise of Man Falcons and Hull Thunder do battle. 

Second-placed York Falcons play on Sunday, welcoming Urmston Grammar and Chester Amazons.

Men’s NVL 

West Midlands pride is at stake at Saturday lunchtime as Black Country host Newcastle Staffs in in Division 1 North. 

The third-placed hosts have suffered a disappointing start to their campaign by their standards after missing out on the Super League in last season’s play-offs. 

But they could strike an important blow if they can end Staffs’ unbeaten run, which so far stands at four matches and sees them head up the table. 

Elsewhere, Manchester Marvels have the chance to bounce back from last week’s defeat at Staffs when they make the short trip to bottom-of-the-table Stockport. 

It’s top versus bottom in Division 1 South when IBB Polonia, unbeaten in four, take on Exeter Storm, without a win in five. 

If victorious, the capital side can further stretch their lead at the summit when travelling to Wessex on Sunday. 

Fourth-place Bristol, with three victories from four so far, are also in action twice, in away trips to Cambridge and Essex Blaze. 

London Aces complete the division’s matches with a home game against Southampton. 

Division 2 North’s only unbeaten side, Darkstar Derbyshire (pictured above), face one of a clutch of teams with a 2-1 record, Leeds Gorse 2, as they try to maintain their momentum on Sunday. 

Other sides hoping to push their claims are Sheffield Springers, who go to Hull Thunder, while Lincoln Cannons and Everton Dugongs play each other. 

Fellow strugglers Nottingham Rockets and Newcastle Staffs 2 will go head to head in a bid to secure a first league triumph of 25-26. 

Loughborough Students (pictured top) can make it a maximum 12 points from 12 if they beat Northampton, which would keep them at the summit of Division 2 Central. 

Second meets third as Newmarket welcome MK City, while Cambridge 2 will bid to open their account for the season against a Norwich Spikers side who have one win to their name. 

Dartford Crossers played an extra game last weekend to take over the leadership of Division 2 South and can stay there if they overcome Wiltshire Mavericks. 

If they fail in that task, Richmond Bucks can reassume top spot should they get the better of London Baks. 

And, if the top two slip up, Kent Invicta could leapfrog to the top with maximum points frrom home matches against the Mavericks on Saturday and Reading Aces on Sunday. 

Cardiff Panthers versus Spelthorne Lions sees two teams who have yet to taste victory yet this season play each other in Wales. 

With none of the top three playing in Division 3 North, it is a good chance for the other teams playing two matches in triangulars to make up ground. 

Manchester Moss Side Jaguars are handily placed with a 3-1 record and could go as high as second if they get the better of Hull Thunder 2 and Manchester Liberators on Humberside. 

Urmston Grammar, York Vikings and Manchester Marvels Marauders will all bid to improve in slow starts to the season. 

One Saturday triangular and two more on Sunday make up the fixtures in Division 3 Central. 

First up, Nuneaton Inferno, Coventry and Warwick Riga 2 and Black Country 2 meet in a fight for West Midlands pride. 

On Sunday, league leaders Birmingham City and unbeaten Telford clash in Shopshire, with Wombourne the third team involved. 

Tamworth Spartans 2 have home advantage in facing Darkstar Derbyshire 2 and Chelmsford. 

In Division 2 South West, Weymouth can go second with two games in hand on leaders Bristol 2 if they can take the full points allocation against Guildford International and Bedminster. 

The top two go up against each other in Division 3 South East, where Newmarket 2 will seek to stay unbeaten against London Lionhearts, who have been defeated just once. GNG Bedford will also be in opposition. 

Onyx London occupy third spot and play London Wildcats and Essex Estonians, while Rhinos Cambridge 2, Tendring and Worthing get ready to do battle.

Full NVL fixtures can be found here.

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