Recap - National League Round 3

Recap – National League Round 3

13th February 2025

Round 3 of National League saw an action-packed day of netball that featured a thrilling draw, an upset and only one team with three wins following the action at Glasgow University.

Glasgow Saltires v Bellahouston Netball

Bellahouston began the day as one of three undefeated teams and looked to stay that way after a strong beginning against Glasgow Saltires.

They enjoyed an early two-goal lead until some inspired netball from the Saltires defenders saw five straight goals fall in their favour. A back-and-forth quarter ended with Bella retaking the lead 15-13 at the first break.

Bella started the second quarter much the same as the first, moving the ball quickly and converting the majority of their opportunities. In the blink of an eye, they had opened a ten-goal margin and left the Saltires searching for answers.

Changes defensively for the Saltires at the midway point of the quarter halted Bella’s momentum and cut the margin in half at 25-20. This prompted Bella into action, and they unleashed a withering burst to take the quarter 21-11 and a commanding 36-24 lead at the main break.

The third quarter proved to be very even with neither team able to string together too many consecutive goals. The Saltires continued to work hard through the term, but the margin remained the same through three quarters and Bella took a 49-37 lead into the fourth quarter.

The fourth quarter followed a similar pattern with both teams evenly matched throughout. Opportunities presented for all players to get some extended court time and Bella maintained their perfect start to the season running out winners 60-44.

Full-time score: GLA SAL 60 – 44 BELLA

Edinburgh University v Strathclyde University

Edinburgh University and Strathclyde University played out a pulsating 45-all draw in the marquee match-up of Round 3.

In a match loaded with Thistles squad members, it began at a frenetic pace with both sides trading goals through the first five minutes. It was Edinburgh who seized momentum first through the accuracy at goal of both Alexa Callard and Holly Turnbull as they jumped ahead 8-4 at the midway point of the first quarter.

Cerys Finn began to have an impact defensively for Strathclyde and the momentum was well and truly with the Glasgow-based team as they finished with a well-earned 18-12 lead converting the last nine goals straight to end the quarter.

The strong shooting of Emma Keith and Anna Edvaldsson continued into the second quarter for Strath and the scoreboard kept ticking over in their favour.

For the first time this season Edinburgh seemed a little rattled. Mia Mathewson moved across to C with Joslin joining at WA. Edinburgh got in a much better groove in the shadows of half time and trimmed the margin back to one 26-27, taking the quarter 15-8.

The match tightened up significantly in the third quarter, the defensive intensity of both sides was cranked up and scoring was hard to come by. To illustrate, Strath led the quarter 5-4 through the first nine minutes. Edinburgh finished the quarter with the momentum however and locked things up at 35 a piece at the last break, eventually taking the quarter 9-8.

The final quarter saw neither team give an inch and the tight tussle continued. No more than three goals separated the two throughout the term and Strath came back to level the scores with three minutes remaining on the clock. They forged ahead moments later only for Edinburgh to hit straight back.

With the scores knotted at 45, both teams had the chance to go ahead in the closing seconds, however those opportunities were not cashed in, and a draw was a fitting result.

Edinburgh remain undefeated with two wins to go along with today’s draw while Strathclyde sit with 1 win, 1 draw and 1 defeat through the first three rounds.

Full-time score: EDI UNI 45 – 45 STRATH

Glasgow University v Scotstoun Storm

Scotstoun Storm recorded their first victory of the National League with a strong 52-25 victory against Glasgow University.

An even match in the early stages saw both teams going goal for goal. The Storm shooting combination of Victoria Murdoch and Olivia Bolland found their range to enable their side to gain the ascendency. Storm led 12-7 at the first break and were keen to extend their margin.

Storm continued with their confident ways in the second quarter and maintained a 25-15 margin at the long break. The defensive pressure up and down the court from the Storm continued into the third quarter as they made it difficult for Glasgow to get regular opportunities to post. A 16-7 margin saw the score stretch to 41-22 after three quarters.

Both teams continued to swing changes into the fourth quarter, however the margin was too much for Uni to make up and Scotstoun opened their account for the season with a 52-25 margin.

The Storm will play Saltires in Round 4 while Glasgow University will face undefeated Bellahouston.

Full-time score: GLA UNI 25 – 52 STORM

Edinburgh Accies v Dunedin Netball

Dunedin recorded their first win of the season with an inspired 53-45 victory over Edinburgh Accies in the National League.

Dunedin matched Accies goal for goal through the opening ten minutes with a crisp, short passing attack that was proving very effective. Some uncharacteristic turnovers from Accies allowed Dunedin additional changes and they didn’t hesitate, converting the extra possessions into a 13-10 lead at the first break.

Quarter number two saw much of the same through the opening exchanges with Dunedin repelling Accies and maintaining a three-goal advantage. Accies turned up the intensity and drew level with half time approaching however Dunedin continued to work hard through each transverse line and regained their three-goal advantage on the half time whistle, 25-22.

Dunedin extended their lead to 8 goals in the opening exchanges of the third quarter and looked to be headed for a famous victory. Gemma Sole was reintroduced for Accies, and the margin was trimmed to five however Dunedin came with a determined approach to all aspects of their netball today and re-established a six-goal lead at three quarter time 37-31.

Accies came out in the fourth quarter intent on disrupting the flow of Dunedin and the physicality of the game became most noticeable. Despite the push from Accies, Dunedin held firm and recorded a well-deserved victory.

Full-time score: ACCIES 45 – 53 DUN

National League Round 4

Round 4 of National League will be played at Glasgow University, on Sunday 9 March where Bellahouston will play Glasgow Uni, Dunedin face Strathclyde Uni, Scotstoun Storm take on Glasgow Saltires with Edinburgh Uni go up against Edinburgh Accies.