NATIONAL LEAGUE: ROUND SEVEN RECAP

27th April 2026

The final round of National League’s regular season played out at Glasgow University on Sunday with some fantastic Netball on display and a battle for top spot heading into finals.

Bellahouston 69 def Scotstoun 27

Bellahouston continued their strong run of form as the finals approach with a 69-27 victory against Scotstoun.

An even start to proceedings was followed by a Bellahouston burst that saw seven consecutive goals recorded to set up an 18-8 quarter time advantage that they never relinquished.

The centre court matchup between Sav Antoine and Claire Maxwell was compulsory viewing. It was Maxwell’s combination with the attacking trio of Jaz Moore, Beth Logan and Maddy McGuinness and the speed down court that allowed Bella to control the tempo into the second quarter. The scoreboard didn’t truly reflect the effort levels of Emma Hewitt and Erin Bolland defensively for Scotstoun as they trailed 33-15 at the midway point.

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Bellahouston were in no mood for relenting as they put the foot to the floor in the third quarter and stretched the lead to 59-21 at the last change.

A tight fourth quarter ensued, each team utilising the chance to give the majority of their squad minutes on court.

Bellahouston will play Strathclyde University in the semi-finals on May 16 at the Pleasance in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh Accies 60 def Glasgow University 52

With fourth place and a potential finals spot on the line, both Accies and Glasgow University brought a playoff like atmosphere to the match.

Accies had the better of the opening exchanges and led 15-11 at the first change thanks to strong drives from Beth Weir and across the transverse line from Hev Marshall.

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The students refused to go away however and they reduced the margin to a solitary goal, 28-27 at the long break behind assertive play from, among others, vice captain Orla O’Shea at GA.

Into the third quarter and the see-saw battle continued with barely a struck match between the two sides. Accies led by no more than two goals at any stage in the term and at the last break a 42-41 margin in favour of Accies set us up for a thrilling final 15.

Accies began the better in the fourth and engineered a five goal lead at the midpoint, 50-45. With the defensive dup of Redpath and Arnold putting the clamps on the Glasgow attack, Accies enjoyed a sustained period of success and pulled away late to secure fourth spot and a semi-final showdown with table-topping Edinburgh University.

Edinburgh University 50 def Strathclyde University 45

In the marquee matchup of the round, Strathclyde sprinted out of the blocks and Edinburgh were in chase position right from the start. Bec MacDonald was steady at GS while the transverse defensive line of Fran Hall, Lexy Gillies and Lucy Holmes were making ball movement difficult for Edinburgh. 16-10 for Strathclyde at the first break with plenty of work to be done for Edinburgh.

No signs of panic for Edinburgh and the timing defensively improved with Captain Flic Rome winning ball regularly to trim the margin to four, 28-24 in the shadows of half time.

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Edinburgh began the third with a renewed vigour and cut the margin to a single goal just four minutes in. Both teams traded goals as the fight for top spot rested on a knife’s edge.

To Edinburgh’s credit they weathered the storm and forged a two goals lead with five minutes remaining in the quarter. Not satisfied, they continued to make life difficult for Strathclyde and went further ahead at the last break 39-35 after a scintillating 29-15 burst since falling behind 20-10 early in quarter two.

The sides showed why they have been the benchmark all season as they traded goals throughout the final term. In the end though it was the Edinburgh side who treasured possession just a little more in the closing stages as they set up an all-Edinburgh semi-final against Accies on May 16.

Dunedin 47 def Glasgow Saltires 24

Dunedin capped their season with a third win of the campaign against Saltires.

Dunedin led comfortably at both quarter and half time with a dominant defensive end led by Captain Cammie Gilchrist-Brown. The 26-6 margin at the break didn’t do the effort of the Saltires justice and the second half remained an even contest throughout.

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All players had their share of court time in the second half with plenty of smiles on faces as an enjoyable end to both team’s season played out.

With Accies winning earlier in the day the mathematical chance for Dunedin to play finals was gone but they have proven on many occasions they are a difficult team to face and will remain a threat into the future.