NVL preview – 12th and 13th October: Riga hope for flying start 

That includes Coventry and Warwick Riga’s women, who will begin life after relegation from the Super League determined to get off to a flying start in their bid to regain top flight status. 

They begin with a short trip to fellow Midlands side Leicester Athena Phoenix on Sunday in what is the only match in Women’s Division 1. 

There is also one match in Division 2 North, where Umston Grammar host Tamworth Spartans on Saturday. 

In Division Two West, Cardiff Falcons gets underway wih a home match against newly-promoted Black Country, who remained unbeaten throughout the 2023-24 season. 

Cheltenham and Gloucester play their third match of the season (second in the league) as they entertain Bedminster. 

There are also two matches in Division 2 East, with Herts hosting Northampton and Richmond 2 getting their campaign underway in the capital against Cambridge. 

No matches are being staged in Division 3 North but there is a Sunday triangular in Division 3 Central, where Black Country 2 take on Wombourne and Nottingham Rockets. 

Invicta, Essex Ravens and Ashcombe Dorking convene for a triangular in Division 3 South East, while Bristol 2 take on close rivals City of Bristol as well as newcomers Weymouth in Division 3 South West. 

In the men’s section, three matches will be staged in Division 1 on Saturday, with 2023-24 promotion challengers Black Country playing their first match of the season at home to Lincoln Cannons, Tamworth Spartans visiting London Baks and London Aces visiting Cambridge ARU. 

The same number of fixtures take place in both Division 2 Central and Division 2 South. 

In the former, Cambridge tackle Newmarket, while Norwich Spikers host Northampton and Loughborough Students take on Coventry and Warwick Riga in Leicestershire. 

In the latter, Wiltshire Mavericks hosts a double header against first Spelthorne Lions and then Richmond Bucks as Cardiff Panthers welcome Wessex across the Welsh border. 

In Division Three South West, one of only two men’s triangulars during the weekend sees newcomers Bristol 2, Reading Aces and Coventry and Warwick Riga 2 go head to head at Avanti Gardens. 

The other sees Worthing, Dartford Crossers and Wapping Waldcats come together to do battle. 

For all the NVL fixtures and results, click here.

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