NATIONAL LEAGUE: ROUND TWO RECAP
8th February 2026
Round Two Recap: Strathclyde stay the team to beat after another turbo-charged start, while Edinburgh Uni flex, Saltires steady, and Dunedin deliver the match of the day.
Strathclyde University 60 defeated Bellahouston Netball 49
It was another dream start for Strathclyde University and they led 9-3 at the midway point of the first quarter thanks to some quicks hands through the midcourt. Rebecca MacDonald and Beth Goodwin led the way in the attacking end while captain Lucy Holmes and Ruby Maclean claimed every loose ball at the defensive end.
Photo: Maisie Spears
The margin hovered around six for the majority of the quarter until Bellahouston regained some ascendancy just before the break to reduce the margin back to four in a high scoring first quarter, 17-13 in favour of the students.
Strathclyde University hit the turbo boost in the second quarter and extended the margin to 31-18 in the shadows of half time. Bellahouston changed their look defensively as Anna Sherry went to GK and Laura White shifted to GD and this saw them begin to take momentum away as the deficit was trimmed to single figures. It was Strathclyde though who finished well and took a 35-23 lead to the long break.
Photo: Maisie Spears
Bellahouston changed their look through the third quarter with Jazmine Moore and Rebecca Metcalfe switching and Maddie Whitehurst featuring at GS. Strathclyde countered with Nicola Cosgrove-Clark at WA and they enjoyed a comfortable 48-38 margin through the last break, despite Bellahouston winning the quarter 15-13.
The early advantage for Strathclyde proved crucial and they maintained their margin through the fourth quarter and remain the team to beat in this year’s competition.
Glasgow Saltires 52 defeated Scotstoun Storm 43
An evenly matched first quarter between the two sides saw just a solitary goal splitting the teams at the break 14-13 in favour of the Storm.
The Saltires had the better of the opening stages of the second quarter and opened a three-goal lead. Erin Bolland swung across to WA for Scotstoun and Knox-McLean entered at GS for the Saltires as both coaches changed their looks throughout. Bolland moved back to WD shortly thereafter to make way for her sister Olivia and White at GA. A couple of Zara Flett long bombs just prior to the long break saw the margin stretch to 14-8 in the quarter for Saltires and a handy 27-21 lead.
Photo: Maisie Spears
Into the third quarter and the two sides traded goals for much of the session. Thoms entered at GS for the Storm and it gave them some impetus as they chipped away at the Saltires lead. Every time the game seemed destined to get very close, the Saltires came up with a clutch play to keep the Storm at bay. 11-10 in the quarter and a 38-31 lead at the final break.
Photo: Maisie Spears
Shaunagh Gilchrist returned at GK to begin the fourth quarter for Saltires and Lucy Gaw moved to WA amongst a bevy of changes for both sides with the game there for the taking. It was the Saltires however who recorded their first win of this year’s competition ahead of a round three clash with Glasgow University.
Edinburgh University 64 defeated Edinburgh Accies 35
The defending champions flexed their muscle and showed they are still the team to beat in this year’s competition with a defensively super-charged performance against Accies.
The two familiar rivals went goal for goal in the opening exchanges and the scene was set early for a fierce contest. Edinburgh University broke serve first and established momentum with some strong defensive pressure through their mid court. Holly Turnbull gained a rare start at GA and her extra efforts defensively turned into additional goal scoring chances for her and fellow shooter Heidi Dawson. Meanwhile some uncharacteristic errors from Accies allowed the students to get the early jump and they rode this momentum to a 16-8 quarter time lead.
Photo: Maisie Spears
A defensive battle ensued in the second quarter as both teams struggled to score freely. Former Thistle teammates Jo Pettitt and Emily Nicholl locked horns in their matchup with neither player giving an inch. At the opposite end, Dawson shot well from distance in her direct battle with Zara Redpath, enough so, to earn a new opponent when Linton returned at GK. Another strong finish to a second straight 16-8 quarter saw Edinburgh University take a commanding 32-16 lead at the major break.
Impressively, in the third quarter, Edinburgh University stepped up their defensive game even more, restricting Accies to just 8 goals again in another strong quarter. They enjoyed a comfortable 45-24 margin at three quarter time and went right on with it for the full sixty minutes.
Photo: Maisie Spears
Changes aplenty in the final quarter for both sides. With the result already decided it was further opportunity for coaches to check out different combinations as the season begins to take shape. Accies will play Bellahouston in Round Three while Edinburgh Uni will do battle with Dunedin.
Dunedin 57 defeated Glasgow University 51
The final match of the day saw a very tight tussle between Glasgow University and Dunedin.
With both teams keen to get their 2026 agenda underway after first round losses, the first quarter was exactly that. Two teams with much to prove, and neither taking a backwards step in an evenly matched contest.
Photo: Maisie Spears
Through the first thirty minutes there was still no way to separate the sides. Both teams led while neither managed to get further in front than a goal or two. Glasgow University turned a one goal quarter time deficit into a one goal half time lead, 27-26
The third quarter was a similar story with small ebbs and flows and neither side exerting dominance. The last few minutes of the quarter finally saw Dunedin put their stamp on the match as they extended their margin to 42-38 after winning the quarter 16-11.
A fast start from Dunedin to the final stanza left Glasgow in chase position and they had too much ground to make up in such little time. Despite cutting the margin back to four at one stage they came close, but ultimately fell to Dunedin in the match of the day.
