National League Round 1 Recap

Round 1 of the 2024/25 National League was played on Sunday December 8 at The University of Edinburgh.

The seven round showpiece takes place over the next six months, highlighting the very best of the Netball talent from all over Scotland.

Edinburgh University vs Dunedin
The opening round began with the reigning champions The University of Edinburgh taking on Dunedin Netball club. Edinburgh proving, they will once again be the measuring stick for all others in the competition with a comfortable 57-26 victory.

Edinburgh were out of the blocks quickly, establishing an 11-7 lead at the first break. They began quickly again in the second quarter, threatening to blow the game wide open, however Dunedin battled back with some inspired play from their defensive end to draw within four goals midway through the term at 14-10. The closing minutes of the first half belonged to Edinburgh though and they went to the long break with a commanding 25-13 lead. Both teams were able to make several changes throughout the match, giving both coaches the opportunity to view various combinations.

The defensive pressure was turned up another notch in the third quarter from Edinburgh and they won the quarter 15-3 to take a 40-16 margin into the final fifteen.

A 17-10 final term saw the margin very similar to the corresponding match last year.

Full-time score: EDI UNI 57 – 26 DUN

Edinburgh Accies vs University of Strathclyde Netball
The Edinburgh Accies made a strong statement in their first match of the season with a resounding 71-50 victory over University of Strathclyde. Accies came out on fire with a blistering first quarter and led 22-8 at the break, thanks in large part to their experienced shooting combination of Jo Pettitt and Gemma Sole.

Strathclyde brought renewed intent to the second quarter and went goal for goal with Accies throughout the early stages of the term. An increase in defensive pressure resulted in further gains and they began to chip away on the scoreboard, reducing the margin to 12 before another late surge from Accies saw them take a 39-23 lead at the main break after a 17-15 quarter.

The teams went toe-to-toe in the third quarter. 15 goals each and the margin remained at 16 entering the final quarter (54-38). Edinburgh burst out of the gates at the commencement of the fourth, extending their advantage to 24 goals at one stage. Strathclyde fought all the way to the end however the first quarter deficit proved too much to overcome.

Full-time score: STRATH 50 – 71 ACCIES

Scotstoun Storm vs Bellahouston Netball
Bellahouston Netball held off a determined Scotstoun Storm with a resilient 53-43 victory in Round 1.

The Storm struck early and often in the first quarter, playing at a fast pace and shooting accurately to take a 13-8 lead to the changeover. Bellahouston showed why they made the play-offs last year and responded strongly to start the second quarter, reducing Storm’s lead to three after the first five minutes.

The newcomers responded in kind though with a mini run of their own to maintain a six-goal lead as half-time approached. In a topsy-turvy half ,it was the Storm who held the lead 23-20, however Bellahouston Netball seized momentum with three of their own goals before the half-time whistle. Bellahouston taking the quarter 12-10.

In the blink of an eye, Bellahouston were right in the contest as they scored 11 of the first 14 goals to open the third quarter. They turned a five-goal deficit into a four goal advantage at the midway point of what is often termed the “championship quarter” and appeared to have all the running. Teams traded passages of unforced errors in the lead up to the break and it remained anyone’s game after a 15-9 quarter for Bella and a 35-32 lead with the final term to come.

Bellahouston grabbed control with a strong opening to the last quarter and threatened to run away with a comfortable victory after extending their advantage to nine. The Storm however were determined to fight back and did so, reducing the gap to six with plenty of time left. It was not to be a fairy tale finish for the new team however as Bella held firm in the remaining time to record their first victory with Storm just missing out on the league’s newly introduced bonus point for being within eight at the final whistle.

Full-time score: BELLA 53 – 43 STORM

Glasgow University vs Glasgow Saltires
The Glasgow Saltires defeated Glasgow University 55-40 in the final match of Round 1.

The Saltires got off to a fast start against Glasgow University in the final match of Round 1 leading 10-5 at the midway point of the first quarter. Saltires settled into their work shortly after and went goal for goal for the remainder of the quarter, trailing 10-15 after one.

The Saltires continued with their impressive start in the second quarter, applying pressure all the way down the court and forcing more errors from the University. They could be well pleased with their opening half for the season, extending their margin to 29-18 at the main break after a 14-8 quarter.

Glasgow University brought increased intensity to the third quarter and began to make inroads on the scoreboard, reducing the margin to seven at one point. It was the Saltires though who went into the last change with the game on their terms and a comfortable 39-30 margin.

Both teams continued to pull the lever on positional changes into the fourth quarter trying to move the needle in their favour. The status quo remained for the most part and the Saltires capped off their opening round victory with a 16-10 final quarter score.

Full-time score: GLA UNI 40 – 55 GLA SAL

National League Round 2
Round 2 of National League will be played at Glasgow University, on Sunday 12 January and opens with an exciting battle between Glasgow’s two university teams at 09.45.