NVL Review 14th and 15th February | Leeds end flawless run

In Division 1 South, Richmond bounced back from their defeat to London Giants with a 3-1 (25-15, 25-19, 19-25, 25-12) victory over fellow London side Inter Crocs. Despite having played two games fewer than the league leaders, Richmond sit 12 points off the top with just five matches remaining. An unbeaten run, alongside favourable results elsewhere, represents their only realistic chance of reaching the MAAREE Women’s Super League next season.

In Division 1 North, Loughborough Students also secured a 3-1 victory, overcoming Northampton. After dropping the first set, the team in purple responded well to take the next three sets convincingly. The result moves them four points clear of bottom side Stockport and to within two points of Everton Belugas.

In Division 2 North, Miners Doncaster claimed an important win over Everton Narwhals to move up to second in the table, two points ahead of Manchester Liberators, who do have a game in hand.

The only other Women’s NVL fixture saw Sussex Dolphins host Onyx London, with the visitors emerging 3-1 winners. A strong start from the London side (25-11, 25-13) put them firmly in control. Although they were pushed in the final two sets, dropping the third 23-25 before edging a tight fourth 26-24, Onyx held their ground to remain top of Division 2 East.

The sole match in the Men’s NVL did not disappoint, with five sets required to separate the sides. Darkstar Derbyshire were handed their first loss of the campaign in a 3-2 defeat to Leeds Gorse 2.

Possibly fatigued from their National Shield victory the day before against Oxford Bulls, Darkstar struggled to find a foothold in the opening sets.

Leeds started strong, taking the opening two sets 26-24 and 25-21. The league leaders responded well, claiming the third and fourth sets 25-21 and 25-13 to force a decider. However, it was the South Yorkshire side who prevailed in the tie break, sealing a 19-17 victory.

With the NVL returning to a full schedule next week, keep up to date with all the latest across the league here and via our social media channels.