NWFL Week 6 Preview: National League Action

As Week 6 of the National Women's Football League (NWFL) approaches, the intensity in the National League 9v9 format continues to build. Key matchups this week will significantly impact playoff aspirations and seeding. Here’s a preview of the upcoming fixtures:

Teesside Steelers (1-1) vs Peterborough Royals (0-2) – 12 pm kick-off

The Teesside Steelers, coming off a surprising 28-26 victory over the Leeds Chargers in Week 5, are looking to capitalise on their momentum. This win has kept their playoff hopes alive, but they will need some help from other teams, particularly a slip-up from the Birmingham Lions or London Warriors, admittedly an unlikely event.

On the other side, the Peterborough Royals are still searching for their first win of the season after falling to the Manchester Titans 49-26 at home last week. This match marks the potential first-ever meeting between these two teams, adding an extra layer of intrigue. The Royals will need a strong performance to turn their season around and dent Teesside's playoff aspirations.

Solent Thrashers (0-2) vs Birmingham Lions (2-0) – 1 pm kick-off

The Solent Thrashers have had a challenging introduction to the National League, facing the reigning champions, the London Warriors, twice and are now set to face the formidable Birmingham Lions. Solent's last outing resulted in a 48-12 loss to the Warriors in Week 4.

The Birmingham Lions, meanwhile, are in dominant form. Their last game was a 64-7 demolition of the Manchester Titans, and they have been virtually impenetrable, conceding an average of only 6.5 points per game. This stellar defensive record places them atop the National League standings on the average points conceded tiebreaker with the Warriors. A win against Solent will secure their playoff spot, provided Leeds loses, should Leeds win it will set up an interesting battle in the final fixtures for these two teams when they meet.

Leeds Chargers (1-1) vs London Warriors (3-0) – 2 pm kick-off

The Leeds Chargers are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 28-26 loss to Teesside Steelers in Week 5. Initially hoping for a 2-2 finish this season, the loss to Teesside has put a damper on their playoff ambitions. This week, they face the London Warriors, who are eager to maintain their perfect record.

The London Warriors, fresh off a 48-12 victory over Solent Thrashers in Week 4, can confirm their playoff spot with a win against Leeds. They are also focused on conceding as few points as possible to regain an edge over Birmingham in the race for the top spot. The 450-mile round trip to Leeds could pose a challenge for the Warriors, but their previous encounter last year ended in a convincing 76-32 victory, giving them a psychological advantage.