NVL Preview 21st and 22nd February - Giants look to be crowned champions

Women's NVL

London Giants can claim the Division 1 South title if they take maximum points against Essex Trinity this weekend. Richmond’s only hope rests on Trinity upsetting the unbeaten Giants while Richmond secure a 3–0 victory of their own over Bristol.

At the other end of the table, Team South Wales travel to Bedminster, hoping to close the three-point gap to Wessex. Bedminster could climb as high as fourth if results go their way. Wessex, boosted by their recent win over Bristol, host London Inter Crocs, who were beaten last week by Richmond.

In Division 1 North, everyone except Everton Belugas is in action. University of Nottingham, top of the table and chasing Super League promotion, will look to extend their unbeaten run when they travel to Manchester Marvels Mayhem on Sunday. Cambridge begin proceedings with Northampton visiting North Cambridge Academy, while Loughborough Students host Stockport in a repeat of last month’s 3–1 victory for the university side.

Manchester Liberators host Moss Side Jaguars in a Manchester derby at Fairfield High School. Jaguars sit nine points clear at the top of Division 2 North, having lost only once this season — to Lincoln Cannons. Cannons host Doncaster Miners, who mathematically still have a chance of promotion with a game in hand.

Newcastle Staffs take on Everton Narwhals, with Staffs having played the fewest games in the division. They will hope their games in hand help secure their status for next season. Sheffield also look for a crucial win as they face Leeds Gorse 2 in a Yorkshire derby.

In Division 2 East, Norwich Spikers host table-toppers Onyx London. Onyx cannot secure promotion this weekend, but with Cambridge not playing they could extend their lead to nine points. Worthing, still winless this season, travel to Dartford Chargers, while Herts face Richmond 2, who could close the gap to second place to just three points.

Division 2 West features Coventry and Warwick Riga hosting Cardiff Falcons on Saturday, followed by Sunday fixtures with Southampton, Oxford Eagles and Wombourne all at home. Reading Aces travel to Southampton, Black Country face Oxford Eagles, and Tamworth Spartans visit Dudley Evolve to play Wombourne.

Division 3 North includes triangulars featuring Everton Seadragons, Manchester Marvels Mystics and Urmston Grammar, while Isle of Man host York Falcons and Chester Amazons at Litherland High School. Either York or Mystics could finish the weekend top of the league, with just five points separating them.

In Division 3 Central, Rhinos Cambridge host MK City and Coventry and Warwick Riga 2, while Loughborough Students face Cheltenham and Gloucester and Nottingham Rockets.

Division 3 South East sees London Ravens play three matches across the weekend, starting against Richmond 3 before competing in a triangular with Dartford Warriors and Tendring. Ashcombe Dorking also host a triangular featuring Spelthorne Sharks and Tendring, with 12 points potentially on offer.

Finally, Division 3 South West includes six more fixtures, with Farnborough Phoenix facing Weymouth and Bedminster 2, while Plymouth Mayflower host City of Bristol and Portsmouth on the south-west coast.

Men's NVL 

Stockport take on second-placed Black Country, with the Greater Manchester side looking to claim their third win of the season. However, Black Country come into the weekend having not played for over a month, their last outing a 3–0 defeat to Coventry and Warwick Riga.

Riga will hope their experience against Super League opposition in last weekend’s National Cup puts them in good stead for their clash with Rhinos Cambridge. They won their most recent league match against Stockport, although the two games prior resulted in defeats for the Coventry side.

Manchester Marvels will aim to upset league leaders Newcastle Staffs and hand them only their third loss of the season when they host them this weekend. Like Riga, Staffs tested themselves against Super League opposition in the National Cup but missed out on a semi-final place after defeat to Malory Eagles.

London Aces take on Essex Blaze, with the Essex side travelling to Lambeth Academy. Aces come into the weekend following an impressive 3–1 win over IBB Polonia and sit just three points behind them. With league leaders Cambridge not in action, Essex Blaze will look to leapfrog them if they can secure maximum points.

Southampton host IBB Polonia, who have struggled in recent weeks after previously looking like strong contenders for a return to the Super League. Wessex welcome Exeter Storm, who are still searching for their first win of the season and have already had their relegation confirmed following their latest defeat.

There are three ties in Division 2 Central as MK City host Northampton, Norwich Spikers welcome Newmarket, and Loughborough Students travel to face Oxford Bulls. The Students could move to within one point of leaders Oxford with victory, increasing the pressure on Newmarket and MK City above them. Any of the top three could finish the weekend at the summit, with Newmarket just three points off top spot.

All eight teams are in action in Division 2 North. After suffering their first defeat of the season, Darkstar Derbyshire travel to Hull Thunder hoping to regain form and maintain their two-point lead at the top of the table. Lincoln Cannons will aim to keep the pressure on with a fixture against Sheffield Springers.

Newcastle Staffs 2 face a tough test against third-placed Everton Dugongs, with the Staffordshire side having claimed just one win so far this season. Nottingham Rockets will look to create some distance from the relegation places when they face Leeds Gorse 2 — the side that ended Derbyshire’s flawless run.

All eight teams are also in action in Division 2 South. Promotion hopefuls Richmond Bucks make the long trip to Cardiff to face the Panthers. Spelthorne Lions host Wiltshire Mavericks, while third-placed Kent Invicta look to keep pace with the top two as they travel to London Baks. On Sunday, second-placed Dartford Crossers host fourth-placed Reading Aces.

In Division 3 North, all matches take place on Sunday, with two triangular events scheduled. Manchester Moss Side Jaguars host Urmston Grammar and York Vikings, with Moss Side and Urmston level on points and the Grammar school side currently ahead on sets won. Manchester Liberators host fellow Manchester side Marvels Marauders, along with Harrogate. With Intervolley Manchester not in action, there is an opportunity for others to finish the weekend top of the table.

Tamworth Spartans and Chelmsford both host triangulars in Division 3 Central. Tamworth face third-placed Black Country 2 and Darkstar Derbyshire 2, who sit sixth. They could climb as high as fifth, though results elsewhere would need to go their way. Chelmsford welcome Wombourne and league leaders Telford.

There is just one triangular in Division 3 South East, with Newmarket 2 facing Rhinos Cambridge 2 and mid-table London Wildcats.

In Division 3 South West, Spelthorne Tigers host Guildford International and City of Bristol at St James School.