NBL Division Two Preview - Week 23 (7/8 March 2020)

There are 12 games taking place across the division this week as teams make their final push for the end of the regular season.

Game of the week

Team Newcastle University (14-2) v Myerscough College (13-2)

It's an exciting top two encounter in the Northern Conference as Myerscough hit the road to leaders Newcastle.

Only two points separate the sides in the standings, which was all that separated them earlier in the season in a narrow Newcastle road win.

Both are in-form, as you'd expect, with the hosts on a five game win streak and the visitors having not lost a game since that defeat to Saturday's opponents back in November.

The fact that there is also a double-game week in store (Newcastle travel to Arrows (10-7) and Myerscough host Elite (7-9)) only adds to the excitement as the race for top spot really heats up. 

Elsewhere in D2M

At the other end of the Northern Conference Sheffield (0-15) host Bristol Hurricanes (4-11). The visitors have regained the bit of form that saw them end the year on a high with two wins on the bounce, meaning it could be another tough contest for the winless hosts. The two teams will then play the reverse fixture against each other on Sunday.

Manchester Magic (9-8) make the short trip to Chester (8-9) and a five game losing run has also left them close to each other in the table. A win will take the hosts level with Magic who will be desperate to get back to winning ways.

Derbyshire Spartans (6-10) take on third-placed Charnwood College Riders (11-5) and will want to put in a better performance than the heavy loss to Elite last week. Riders meanwhile will be hoping to close the gap on whoever loses the top-two clash above them.

Speaking of top-two clashes, there's another in the South as leaders Essex Rebels (14-2) travel to BC London Medelynas (11-5). Six points separate these two but that won't phase the hosts who are on a fine run of form that continued with a derby win over Westside last week.

London Westide (10-5) will look to get over that at bottom side Cardiff Met Archers (4-13), who are desperate for another win to take them back above Sussex Bears after beating them in week 22.

Bears (4-12) did get a win last week that kept them afloat of the bottom and now have all eyes on Solent Kestrels II (5-9) who are just two points above them.

Ipswich (10-6) host London Greenhouse Pioneers (7-8) as fourth plays fifth, with both looking to get over losses last week. Ipswich have some breathing space over the visitors and have a chance of getting back into the top three with a win.

East London All Stars (6-7) hope to build on that derby win over Pioneers against Greenwich Titans (6-10), who will need to show character to bounce back from the upset at home to Bears last week.

Fixtures and results

Saturday 7 March

2:20pm - Sheffield Hallam University v Bristol Hurricanes - LIVE STATS
3:45pm - Cardiff Met Archers v London Westside - LIVE STATS
5:00pm - Sussex Bears v Team Solent Kestrels II - LIVE STATS
5:30pm - Ipswich Basketball v London Greenhouse Pioneers - LIVE STATS
6:00pm - University of Chester v Manchester Magic - LIVE STATS
6:00pm - BC Medelynas London v Essex Rebels - LIVE STATS
7:00pm - Team Newcastle University v Myerscough College - LIVE STATS
7:00pm - Derbyshire Spartans v Charnwood College Riders - LIVE STATS

Sunday 8 March

4:00pm - Myerscough College v Team Birmingham Elite - LIVE STATS
4:15pm - Derbyshire Arrows v Team Newcastle University - LIVE STATS
4:30pm - East London All Stars v Greenwich Titans - LIVE STATS
5:30pm - Bristol Hurricanes v Sheffield Hallam University - LIVE STATS

Main image credit - Luke Simcock

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