Netball Scotland National League Round 2

An update from the matches in Netball Scotland’s National League Round 2

Round 2 of the 2024/25 National League was played on Sunday January 12 at Glasgow University. The seven round showpiece takes place over the next six months, highlighting the very best of the Netball talent from all over Scotland.

University of Strathclyde Netball vs Glasgow University

Strathclyde quickly began their matchup against their crosstown rivals and claimed the early advantage courtesy of excellent combinations in the shooting circle between Anna Edvaldson and current Thistle Emma Barrie.

The goals flowed freely for each team in the back end of the quarter with the Strathclyde lead extended to as many as 8 goals before a late push from Glasgow trimmed the margin to 20-13 after the first period.

The second quarter saw Strathclyde continue their strong play, this time orchestrated by their back three of Charlotte Adams, Lucy Holmes and Lexy Gillies winning their individual matchups and creating opportunities for their side. 18-7 for the quarter and a commanding 38-20 lead at the main break.

Strathclyde went right on with the job in the second half, recording a resounding 87-34 victory carrying through their campaign form into 2025. They will clash with Edinburgh University in Round 3 while Glasgow University will battle with Scotstoun Storm to break into the winner’s circle.

Full-time score: STRATH 87 – 34 GLA UNI

Bellahouston vs Dunedin

Bellahouston Netball remained undefeated after a 61-51 victory against Dunedin.

The two teams engaged in an evenly fought battle in the early stage of their contest, Bella were energised by Kaitlyn Pringle’s dynamic play in the defensive circle with multiple gains for her team that they converted into a 16-12 first-quarter lead.

Bella turned the pressure up further in the second quarter and a 16-10 quarter provided a comfortable 32-22 lead at the long break. Bella further extended their margin with their best quarter of the match in the third (18-12) and looked set to run away with this clash.

Dunedin showed plenty of heart in the fourth quarter, winning the stanza 17-11 to reduce the final margin to a 61-51 victory for Bella.

Bellahouston will play Glasgow Saltires in Round 3 while Dunedin will take on the undefeated Accies.

Full-time score: BELLA 61 – 51 DUN

Scotstoun Storm vs Edinburgh Accies

Accies established themselves as one of the teams to beat as they remain undefeated in the National League following a 72-39 victory against Scotstoun Storm in Round 2.

Accies came out in the first quarter full of juice, scoring 11 of the first 15 goals to enjoy an 11-4 lead just moments into the match. Storm chipped away with some impressive passages themselves to trail by only 7.

Storm were not to be intimidated however and settled nicely into the match to trail by just 3 goals in the opening stages of the second quarter. This sparked Accies into action and produced a withering run into halftime of 16-3 to take a 34-18 lead into the second half.

The second half provided an opportunity to witness more exceptional netball from Accies and they didn’t let their foot off the pedal as they ran away with a 38-21 second-half score.

Accies will face Dunedin in Round 3 while Scotstoun will look to open their account against Glasgow University.

Full-time score: STORM 39 – 72 ACCIES

Edinburgh University vs Glasgow Saltires

Edinburgh University continued their unbeaten season start with a comfortable 50-39 victory over Glasgow Saltires.

It was a nervous opening quarter from both teams with the match taking time to develop some flow. It was the Glasgow outfit who continually created extra opportunities early on and they eked out a narrow 6-5 advantage at the midway point of the quarter. Neither team was shirking the fight and Glasgow Saltires remained deadlocked with the more fancied Edinburgh University at the first break, 11-all.

Edinburgh introduced Mia Mathewson to the game and moved Thistle Captain Emily Nicholl out to GD for the second quarter among a raft of changes and the results immediately paid dividend as they peeled off the first five goals. Edinburgh would go on to extend this lead in the minutes before half time and enjoyed a 28-19 advantage at the break.

Edinburgh’s experience came to the fore in the second half as they consolidated their advantage with another quarter win (12-9) and headed for the last quarter leading the Saltires 40-28.

The new team on the block refused to go away and reduced the margin to single digits midway through the quarter, however the margin was too much to chase down and the title favourites improved to 2-0 in the competition.

The Saltires lost no admirers this afternoon and will be a tough opponent for Bellahouston in Round 3. Edinburgh will clash with Strathclyde in the marquee matchup of February 9.

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