NVL preview (28th and 29th March) - Three-way title race in Men's Division 2 South

Men’s NVL 

The race for second place behind champions Newcastle Staffs is on in Division 1 North, with one of three teams most likely to clinch it. 

Coventry and Warwick Riga are currently in the runners-up spot, but they have a tough final match, welcoming the divisional winners. 

Just behind them are Rhinos Cambridge who will be looking to take advantage of any slip-ups by the West Midlanders as they host Sheffield. 

Black Country and Manchester Marvels also face off, both still able to move up to second if results go their way, but the former standing the better chance of achieving that goal. 

Bottom two Tamworth Spartans and Stockport have ensured disappointing seasons, but each will look to end on a high when they meet at Wilnecote Leisure Centre. 

It’s also a full programme in Division 1 North, where title winners Essex Blaze conclude by visiting Devon to face relegated Exeter Storm. 

There’s a big game at the bottom end as second-from-bottom Wessex host Southampton knowing a maximum points victory could see the two clubs swap places. 

Bristol are also not out of relegation danger yet ahead of their trip to London Aces, who are seeking to secure second spot. 

It the capital side fail to secure a comprehensive win, then, third-placed Cambridge could still finish as runners-up if they get the better of fourth-placed IBB Polonia.  

Three teams are still in the hunt for the Division 2 South title heading into the final set of matches. 

Dartford Crossers have a two-point lead at the top, but could hardly have a tougher final assigment as they visit third-placed fellow challengers Kent Invicta. 

Second-placed Richmond Bucks, meanwhile, are at home to Spelthorne Lions and have to opportunity to pounce of Dartford slip up. 

If Invicta can beat Crossers and Richmond also drop points, then they could end up as champions. 

At the other end of the table, Wiltshire Mavericks can still stay up if they beat London Baks who are one place above them – but nothing less than a 3-0 win will do, would will see them have a better set quotient by virtue of winning one more set. 

Already-relegated Cardiff Panthers complete their season in Wales against Reading Aces. 

There’s an interesting battle for a play-off in Division 2 North, with Everton Dugongs and Lincoln Cannons both sitting on 27 points going into the last round of matches. 

The Merseysiders, second on set quotient, host champions Darkstar Derbyshire, but Cannons’ last game at Hull Thunder could be equally tricky as the Humberside club need the points in their bid to escape the drop. 

Nottingham Rockets could also be in peril if results don’t go their way, so will be seeking apositive result at home to Sheffield Springers. 

Mid-table Leeds Gorse 2 entertain already-relegated Newcastle Staffs 2 in the division’s other fixture. 

All major issues have been decided in Division 2 Central, but champions Oxford Bulls will no doubt want to finish in style as they visit third-placed Newmarket. 

The remaining two fixtures feature teams occupying the bottom four places, but the order in which they finish cannot change. 

Northampton (fifth) go to Cambridge 2 (eighth), while Leicester (sixth) host Norwich Spikers (seventh). 

Liverpool need just one victory from their two remaining triangular matches against Manchester Moss Side Jaguars and Harrogate to secure third place, who are the two sides immediately below them. 

Urmston Grammar and Manchester Marvels Marauders also meet to round off their respective campaigns. 

Four points from their last two triangular games will give Telford the Division 3 Central championship and also mean they go through the season unbeaten, with Darkstar Derbyshire 2 and Wombourne providing the opposition. 

Just one solitary game is outstanding in Division 3 South East, with third-placed Essex Estonians going head to head with fifth placed London Wildcats, while Division 3 South West has already finished. 

Women’s NVL 

The fight for third place in the Division 1 South will be decided durin gthis weekend’s full weekend of games. 

London Inter Crocs are favourites to claim that berth, not only because they have two more points than fourth-placed Bristol, but also because they have what is, on paper, the easier game. 

While they host Essex Trinity, their rivals have the unenviable task of travelling to unbeaten league champions London Giants, who will be intent on maintaining their 100% record across 25-26 ahead of their promotion to Super League. 

The other interest is at the bottom end of the table, where Bedminster and Team South Wales are battling it out for survival. 

On Saturday, the Bristol-based club face already-relegated Wessex and can pile the pressure on by earning maximum points. 

Even so, the Welsh side can stay up regardless of that result if they can convincingly win their match, though it will be far from easy for them at second-placed Richmond.  

There is just one game to finish off Division 1 North and it is a local affair, with Manchester Marvels hosting Stockport knowing that victorty of any kind will enable them to finish second in the table. 

It’s all to play for at the bottom of Division 2 North, where Sheffield know that a maximum points-success will save them from the drop on set quotient – at the expense of already-finished Lincoln Cannons. 

However, that will be no gimme as they host fellow South Yorkshire club The Miners Doncaster, who will be wary of avoiding a heavy defeat. 

That is because if things did not go their way, and Manchester Liberators were convincing victors in their clash at Everton Narwhals, the two teams could exchange places on set quotient, with a play-off place at stake. 

Elsewhere, mid-table sides Leeds Gorse 2 and Newcastle Staffs meet at the Ruth Gorse Academy. 

Oxford Eagles need a win of any description at Tamworth Spartans to ensure they clinch second place ahead of Black Country, who are hoping for a helping hand from their fellow West Midlanders to bring their game at home to Southampton into play. 

While the play-offs race is still alive, the die is already cast in terms of the relegation spots with bottom club Cardiff Falcons signing off by welcoming champions Reading Aces and second-bottom Coventry and Warwick Riga hosting Wombourne.  

Champions Onyx London will look to end in style as they are at home to Dartford Chargers in Division 2 East. 

Cambridge 2, who are safe in second, go to Herts, while Richmond 2, in third, host relegated Norwich Spikers. 

Winless Worthing take on neighbours Sussex Dolphins in the Division’s other fixture. 

MK City need four points from their triangular against bottom two Nottingham Rockets and Coventry and Warwick Riga 2 to seal the Division 3 Central championship, after a season-long battle with Leicester Athena Nova. 

Also completing their seasons are Cambridge Rhinos and Darkstar Derbyshire 2 in a rearranged game. 

Isle of Man Falcons round off their first season at NVL level with a triangular in Division 3 North where they will face York Falcons, hoping to keep their eye in for the play-offs, and Chester Amazons. 

Dartford Warriors will double up at the weekend to complete their 25-26 as they take on two sets of Ravens from Essex and then unbeaten champions London at Dartford Technology College. 

There are no fixtures in Division 3 South West, which has already finished for the season. 

Full NVL fixtures and results can be found here.    

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