2025 CELTIC CUP: DAY TWO RECAP
27th November 2025
Day Two at the Celtic Cup saw three more thrilling matches unfold, setting up some mouth-watering clashes Friday as we head towards the pointy end of the tournament.
Northern Ireland vs Uganda
Uganda stamped their authority on the tournament with a strong 72-46 victory over the Northern Ireland Warriors. The co-hosts were fast out of the blocks, scoring the first three goals to build some early momentum however it didn’t take long for the She Cranes to build some consistency of their own, finding easy passage to goal via both Mary Cholhok and GA Shadia Nassanga. A strong finish to the quarter saw Uganda lead 19-11 at the break.
The goals continued for Uganda in the second and they powered again to another 19-11 quarter and a 38-22 half-time edge. They showed no signs of slowing down as they went through the third quarter with more surges and a 17-10 session saw them with a commanding 55-32 lead at the final break.
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Changes aplenty for both sides in the final quarter saw a more even score line with Uganda taking the quarter 18-14 and the match. Northern Ireland play Wales on Day Three while Uganda will feature in the headline match of the day against the Thistles.
Shooting Stats:
Uganda
Mary Cholhok 45/47, Shadia Nassanga 24/29, Specioza Namukose 3/3
Northern Ireland
Orlaith Rogers 14/18, Georgie McGrath 14/15, Emma Magee 10/10, Ciara Crosbie 8/9
Namibia vs Scotland
The middle match of Day Two saw the Scottish Thistles take down the Namibia Desert Jewels 58-33. The Thistles were fresh off their upset win Wednesday night against the Welsh Feathers, and they began slowly in this one as the Jewels defensive end of Mupenda and Hunga were making life difficult for the Thistles midcourt. The Thistles eventually found their stride and opened a 15-6 lead at the first break. Their defensive back four of Hannah Leighton, Hannah Grant, Emily Nicholl and Rachel Conway worked well as a unit and limited scoring opportunities for Namibia.
The second quarter saw more of the same swarming defence from the Thistles while the Jewels took the most of their opportunities. Both teams’ turnover was a little higher than desired and another low scoring quarter ensued. Lexy Gillies was introduced for Scotland at Centre, giving Hannah Leighton her first break. 14-8 in the quarter for Scotland and a comfortable 29-14 lead at the half for the home side.
The third quarter saw the introduction of Anna Shipanga (WA) for the Jewels while the Thistles countered with Evie Watts (WA), Cerys Finn (GD) and Niamh McCall (GA). The half time margin remained relatively unchanged as both sides traded goals in the early exchanges.
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The Thistles found their stride as the quarter went on and the combinations started to gel. Elisia Hambongo (GA)and Miryam Johannes (GS) did their bit for Namibia however it was another quarter in favour of the hosts 16-9 and a 45-23 margin going to the last break.
The fourth quarter became a little frantic at times as both teams mixed their lines searching for new combinations and connections. Full credit to Namibia who kept fighting and kept the margin down with good energy throughout the quarter. 13-10 in a tight quarter with everyone giving their all. Thistles starting Centre Hannah Leighton was named player of the match. The Jewels face Zimbabwe on Friday while the Thistles will be under the Friday night lights in a clash against the undefeated Uganda She Cranes.
Shooting Stats:
Namibia
Uendjisuvera Kangumine 25/28, Elisia Hambongo 6/8, Miryam Johannes 2/2.
Scotland
Emma Barrie 24/25, Cerys Cairns 13/18, Niamh McCall 12/12, Bethan Goodwin 9/11.
Wales vs Zimbabwe
The headline match of Day Two saw the Welsh Feathers tackle the Zimbabwe Gems. The Feathers were eager to make amends for their upset loss on the opening night and they faced a familiar opponent having taken a two-match series last weekend in Cardiff against the Gems.
A tight opening quarter saw Wales enter the first break holding the narrowest of margins at 10-9. The Welsh machine clicked into gear in the second quarter with the ball flowing freely through the trusty combination of Bethan Dyke, Phillipa Yarranton and Georgia Rowe as they stretched their lead to eight (27-19) by the main break via a 17-10 second quarter result.
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Booth, Tydeman and Emmanuel rotated positions for the Feathers in the third and the margin reached ten goals in the shadows of three-quarter time as the Gems fought hard to position themselves for a fourth quarter assault. The margin proved a bridge too far for Zimbabwe and despite another tight quarter (15-11) the big second quarter from Wales proved to be the major difference in the match.
The Feathers face Northern Ireland on Friday while Zimbabwe will confront Namibia.
Shooting Stats:
Wales
Georgia Rowe 46/47, Phillipa Yarranton 7/11, Zoe Matthewman 3/3.
Zimbabwe
Sharon Bwanali 34/36, Nicole Muzanenhamo 2/3, Ursula Ndlovu 6/9.
