NVL Preview 30th November and 1st December – Bristol seek to make headway

Both sides go into the Saturday clash having made solid starts to their seasons but are sitting in mid-table because they have not played as many games as their rivals. 

Whoever emerges victorious will fancy their chances of putting together a run of wins to lift themselves up the table and put themselves in contention at the top. 

That is particularly true for Bristol, who also face Cambridge ARU on Sunday knowing that two weekend wins will shoot them up the standings.  

A top versus bottom match-up takes place on Humberside as Hull Thunder welcome leaders Leeds Gorse to the Stever Prescott Centre. 

Second-placed London Aces go to Lincoln Cannons, while Black Country in third, go to fourth-placed London Baks. 

Cambridge ARU will complete a West Country fixture double on Sunday when they visit an Exeter Sorm side who are a place below them in the table but have played two less games. 

Lincoln Cannons also play a second game of the weekend when they entertain an in-form Tamworth Spartans. 

There are just two matches in Division 2 North, both on Sunday, as leaders Manchester Marvels bid to make it five straight victories to start 2024-25 when the host Harrogate, while Darkstar Derbyshire welcome Newcastle Staffs 2. 

The derby between Cambridge and Rhinos Volleyball Cambridge in Division 2 Central is important for both sides but for different reasons. 

The bottom-of-the-table hosts are still to secure a first success of the season, while the visitors are looking to strengthen their lead at the top. 

On Sunday, second-placed Newmarket entertain third-placed Coventry and Warwick Riga in a crunch match as Northampton, who picked up their first win if the season last weekend, will hope to double their tally against an MK City side yet to taste league victory this season. 

The solitary fixture in Division 2 South sees leaders Richmond Bucks go to Southampton, who have won their only match so far this season. 

There are no matches in Division 3 Central, but there are two triangulars in Division 3 North West, one of each day of the weekend. 

On Saturday, Liverpool and Everton Dugongs will contest a derby in a fixture that will also see York Vikings make the trip to Merseyside. 

Manchester is the focal point for the action on Sunday as Manchester Moss Side and Urmston Grammar do battle along with Sheffield, who will journey across the Pennines. 

Having lost only once this season, Onyx have the chance to go top of Division 3 South East if they can double up against Essex Estonians and London Wildcats. 

Division 3 South West, meanwhile, will see Weymouth and Reading Aces, sitting third and fourth respectively, go head to head, with Nuneaton Inferno the third team to make up their triangular fixture. 

There are four matches in Women’s Division 1, where Stockport could go to the top of the pile if they can win both their matches, first hosting Leicester Athena Phoenix on Saturday and then visiting Coventry and Warwick Riga on Sunday.  

Should they fail in that bid, then Essex Trinity could also go to the summit, above Newcastle Knights who are without a game, should they overcome London Inter Crocs on their home court. 

At the other end of the table, both Southampton and Richmond have the opportunity to get off the mark as they meet at Itchen College Sports Centre. 

Top plays second in Division 2 North as Manchester Marvels face off against Tamworth Spartans at Dean Trust, Ardwick. 

If that match proves to be close, then The Miners, Doncaster, who visit Newcastle Staffs on Saturday and then welcome Everton Narwhals on Sunday, could leapfrog above both those sides with two convincing wins. 

Cambridge will seek to keep hold of top spot in Division 2 East when they take on winless Onyx on Sunday, while second-placed Norwich Spikers are at home to Richmond 2. 

Northampton will also hope to show their promotion credentials when they meet MK City at Moulton College. 

In Division 2 West, both Bristol and Team South Wales could top the table come Saturday night depending on each other’s results in home matches against Black Country and Oxford Eagles respectively. 

However, a convincing win for league leaders Bedminster at Black Country on Sunday would see them return to the summit.  

There are no matches in Division 3 North, New College, Leicester hosts a Saturday Division 3 Central triangular between Leicester Athena Nova, Ashfield Vipers and Black Country 2. 

Dartford Warriors, Richmond 3 and Invicta all currently occupy positions in the bottom half of Division 3 South East, but have the chance to move up when they go head ot head in a Sunday triangular. 

The same is true in Division 3 South West, where Bedminster 2, City of Bristol and Plymouth will all look to improve their records. 

Action image by Simon Clarke

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