National Cup and Shield preview (14th and 15th February) – Heavyweights Rebels and Polonia clash as Wessex eye upset 

Women’s National Cup 

Team SideOut Polonia Head Coach Mark Kontopoulos is hoping to use what he saw of Essex Rebels’ defeat at the recent Super League Live to help his team clinch a National Cup semi-final spot. 

The Londoners were runners-up to Malory Eagles UEL last year and won the competition the year before, beating the Durham Palatinates. 

Given their recent successes and strong history going back more than a decade, it is somewhat unusual for them to go into a clash as slight underdogs, which they may be considered by some here. 

But while the long-serving Kontopoulos acknowledges it is a difficult assignment in Colchester, he believes his side – two points and one spot behind third-placed Essex in the MAAREE Women’s Super League table – can still prevail in what is the women's tie of the round.  

“We know this will be a challenging match,” he said. “Essex have played well this season and have been a tough opponent for us over the past few years. 

“The Cup always adds another layer. There are no second chances and that brings a different kind of pressure compared to league play. Managing those moments is crucial. 

“It was interesting to see the pressure Newcastle (Knights) were able to apply at Super League Live a couple of weeks ago. That gave us useful insight as part of our preparation.  

“We know Essex well and I’m sure they know us just as well, so I’m expecting – and looking forward to – a strong tactical battle. 

“We haven’t had many league matches since Christmas - just the away games against Durham and Leeds three weeks ago - but our preparation has been focused and purposeful. We’re in a good place and looking forward to another exciting Cup match.” 

The clash between two sides who have yet to meet in league action this season is the only all-top flight tie of the quarter-finals, but there are some intriguing ties elsewhere nonetheless. 

That is none more so than at the Caius Youth Centre where unbeaten NVL Division 1 South side London Giants take on a Durham Palatinates side with a 100% record in Super League. 

Having already knocked out Lionhearts Vinarius in the previous round, the hosts will sense the chance to ruffle more feathers against Paul Welsh’s side, who face a long trip down from the North East, but have proven to be up to every task thrown at them so far this season. 

Across the capital, at Kensington Aldridge Academy, the only non-NVL side remaining, London Onyx of the London League, do battle against holders Malory Eagles UEL. 

While they have not quite hit the heights of last season’s double win so far, Jefferson Williams and Carol Gordon’s side still represent a formidable challenge for the club whose NVL side are currently top of Division 2 East.  

The outcome of the fourth match has already been decided, with Darkstar Derbyshire guaranteed a semi-final spot for the second year running as Waterloo Thunder have opted not to travel, handling the East Midlanders a walkover. 

Men’s National Cup 

In the men’s section, there are no all-Super League ties, with each seeing a DYNAMIK Men’s Super League team play an NVL Division 1 North or South side. 

After going all the way last season and to win the National League alongside promotion from Division 2 in Division 1 South, Wessex are one of those lower-ranked sides dreaming of an upset. 

The South Coast club sit second bottom in their league table with three wins from 10 matches, which would hardly suggest a surprise result when they take on reigning Super League champions London Giants at Parkstone Grammar School. 

That said, Head Coach Matt Hunter is looking forward to seeing the Dark Blues have the chance to measure themselves against one of the best teams in the country. 

He said: “As a Division 1 team, it's always likely at this stage of the competition you'll draw a heavy hitter. Drawing last year's league champs is about as heavy as they come. 

“We are all extremely excited to welcome the Giants to the South Coast. The beauty is that there is no expectation on us, and for us it's a real benchmarking exercise against a top side. We've been improving all season so this will be a great test.

“Winning the Shield last year has given the players the mentality and experience in knockout comps, which is distinctly different to the league, as there’s only a single game so you have to be on your game, with no second chances. 

“It’s important for us to maintain our consistency and not get caught up in how fast and strong they play. We need to play our game and hope that we have enough in our toolkit to stay close to them. 

“If that happens, then who knows? When it's tight, you might get a lucky break and clinch some sets. We are very realistic about our chances so it will very much be a strategy of keeping in touch with them as they start going through their gears.” 

On paper at least, the most likely game where a shock might happen is NVL Division 1 South’s promotion chasers Essex Blaze’s meeting with Super League strugglers Richmond Docklands. 

Both sides have their problems to deal with going into the match, with captain Nathan French having announced his decision to quit the Blaze team and Richmond’s big hitter Artemii Solodukhov serving the third game of a four-match ban. 

A tight match could be in prospect at St John Payne School, and who gets the better start could be crucial. 

Holders Essex Rebels have struggled this season to replicate the form that saw them go agonisingly close to a regular season league and cup double in 24-25, but they will hope to make the last four against Division 1 North’s Coventry and Warwick Riga. 

The visitors were runners-up to Wessex in last year’s National Shield final and currently sit fourth in their league table. 

The last eight ties are completed with Malory Eagles UEL’s home match against Division 1 North’s leaders and seemingly champions-elect Newcastle Staffs. 

It will be an excellent chance for the team from the Potteries to see what level they need to be at if they are to return to Super League next season. 

Women’s National Shield 

Farnborough Phoenix are the only team from outside of Division 2 left at this stage of the competition and the Division 3 South East side will harbour ambitions of making it even further. 

Hosting Wombourne, who are mid-table in Division 2 West, the Hampshire side have won nine of their nine league games so far this season. 

Two sides in the bottom half of the Division 2 West table can give their respective season a real boost by clinching a semi-final place when Tamworth Spartans entertain West Midlands rivals Coventry and Warwick Riga. 

Reading Aces are seeking a second consecutive promotion and lead the way in Division 2 West with just one defeat so far, so will fancy their chances in welcoming Division 2 East mid-table club Dartford Chargers to Kendrick School. 

Cambridge 2 are second in Division 2 East and prepare to do battle with a Lincoln Cannons side in the bottom half of Division 2 North. 

Men’s National Cup 

Half of the teams left in the draw don’t currently play in the NVL – and at least one is guaranteed a semi-final berth. 

That is because two of them – London League’s Brazukas and Hertfordshire League’s Watford – meet at the City of London Academy, Shoreditch Park. 

The Army have reached the quarter-final stage for the second year running, but will hope to go at least one better this time when they travel to Merseyside to face Division 3 North’s third-placed side Liverpool. 

Another North West-based team are Legends Oldham, who have already shown their credentials by beating Division 2 Central’s Nottingham Rockets in the last round, and this time they go to Division 2 North’s Leeds Gorse 2. 

Both Darkstar Derbyshire (Division 2 North) and Oxford Bulls (Division 2 Central) are top of their respective divisions and going well, so their clash at Derby University’s Sports Centre promises to be an intriguing one. 

Images by Jenna Clarke (SideOut) and Keeran Marquis (Essex Rebels).

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