Strathclyde Uni vs Edinburgh Uni: A Battle of Resilience and Strategy

In a gripping encounter that had netball fans on the edge of their seats, Strathclyde Uni faced a tough challenge against Edinburgh Uni, with the latter emerging victorious and unbeaten with a score of 55-39. Despite a rocky start and trailing behind in the first quarter, coach Frankie Doyle expressed pride in the team’s ability to claw back into the game, attributing their comeback to strategic impact changes and an added dimension in their through court play. With their eyes still set on the playoffs and key players returning for round 6, Strathclyde Uni remains a team to watch.

Edinburgh University’s coach, Trish Wilcox, praised her team’s execution, stating, “We executed our game plan for 80% of the game.” However, she acknowledged the need for quicker adaptation during momentum swings, a lesson learned from the third-quarter challenge.

Fans can watch the full match and witness the tactical plays from both teams on BBC Sport Scotland’s live stream.

Glasgow Uni’s Dominant Win Over Edinburgh Accies: Precision and Focus

Glasgow Uni’s stunning performance against Edinburgh Accies ended with a decisive 63-44 win, reflecting the team’s dedication to their game plan. Coach Kelly Boyle praised the team’s focus and the players’ confidence on the court,

“We focused on doing our own job for longer and trusted that the score would take of itself.”

The team’s game philosophy, emphasising structure and consistency, proved effective against Edinburgh Accies’ efforts.

On the other side, Edinburgh Accies’ coach Gemma Sole recognised the impact of unforced errors on the game’s outcome. Despite a strong defensive play against Glasgow Uni’s key attackers, it wasn’t enough to bridge the gap in the score.

“Our game plan today was based around addressing their attacking unit, specifically we identified Jazmine Moore as a real threat. To her credit, our wing defence, Heather Marshall, she kept Jazmine quiet today, and I thought she had a really strong game.”

The introduction of new players Heidi Dawson and Rachel Forsyth brought depth to the team, setting a positive tone for future matches.

Saltires vs Dunedin: Commitment and Long-Term Vision

Saltires showcased a commendable spirit against Dunedin, despite a 40-55 loss. Coach Sharyn Lyon highlighted the team’s unwavering commitment and competitive edge throughout the entire match.

“I was really pleased with the total commitment shown today by the girls. The focus for us was to compete for the full 60 minutes, to be loud and never give and they delivered that today.”

Saltires’ resilience and determination were apparent, leaving a strong impression for upcoming games.

Dunedin’s victory was a testament to their preparation and adherence to their game plan. Coach Katy McGregor expressed pride in the team’s performance, emphasising the importance of consistency and depth, especially with injuries affecting the mid-court. With only one game remaining and playoffs out of reach, Dunedin’s focus shifts to local leagues and the Scottish Cup, aiming to solidify their standing in the final placements.

Here is how the league table is shaping up after 5 intense rounds:

For more action-packed netball matches and to follow the journey to the finals, fans can rewatch the excitement of National League Round 5 on BBC Sport Scotland’s live stream.

Team Captains Share Insights on Thrilling Netball Matches

The National League continues to deliver exhilarating netball action as Round 2 showcased fierce competition, outstanding teamwork, and promising young talents. Here’s a closer look at the matches and insights from the team captains.

Match 1: Dunedin vs Edinburgh Accies

In a closely contested battle, Edinburgh Accies emerged victorious with a final score of 44-38. Accies’ Captain, Beth Weir, praised her team’s patience and the remarkable performance of their young players,

“I’m a really proud captain today to see some of our young fresh faces take the court in the National League making their debuts at this level.”

Weir adds that her focus before round 3 is on court fundamentals, “we will go back into training this week and focus on that relentlessness through the court and keeping it calm for that full 60.“

Netball Scotland National league Edinburgh Accies © Craig Watson

Dunedin’s Captain, Samantha Alexander, expressed pride in her team’s fighting spirit and highlighted their progress in sustaining pressure for the full 60 minutes. She also recognised the challenge of playing at this level and adapting to umpire decisions.

“I’m really proud of the fight we showed today, last year in National League we struggled but we were able to sustain that pressure today and bring to the court what we have been working on in training.”

“The next round isn’t that far away and it’s not a huge amount of time to fix things but for us we were really proud of what we did today so it’s just about sticking to the good stuff and eliminating our own errors.”

Match 2: Edinburgh Uni vs Glasgow Saltires

Edinburgh Uni dominated the match with a final score of 61-31. Saltires’ Captain, Shaunagh Gilchrist, commended her team’s determination and support for each other. She emphasised the importance of setting individual goals and playing as a cohesive unit.

“We wanted to keep going, keep the goals ticking over and keep trying to turn over balls. I’m happy overall with the performance today and lots to build on going into round 3.”

Netball Scotland National league and Media day
© Craig Watson

Edinburgh Uni’s Captain, Claire Maxwell, was delighted with her team’s performance and highlighted their strong circle defence in the last quarter.

“we had a bit of a slow start and had to adjust, they were playing a strong 2 on 1 in the circle against Georgia [Goddard] but Holly [Turnbull] worked her socks off and was probably my player of the match in terms of what she brought to the game at GA.“

She stressed the need to improve through-court attack and starting strongly in future matches.

“One of our main focuses was our through court attack, we weren’t really clinical in the previous game so this week we did increase it to 65% but we want to push on with that.”

Match 3: Strathclyde Uni vs Bellahouston

Bellahouston secured victory with a final score of 45-31 after a tight initial battle.

Strathclyde Uni’s Captain, Cerys Finn, highlighted the positive aspects of their first-time playing together, especially their impressive defence.

“Our defence was incredibly good today, we turned over so much ball and it was just a shame that we couldn’t always capitalise on that but our shooting end is young and inexperienced so they will grow throughout this competition.”

She acknowledged the need to work on eliminating minor errors in training and into their next match,

“I think our errors were just little things and easy things we can work on so, it’s just taking those learnings back into training and applying them to our next match.”

Bellahouston’s Captain, Rebecca Metcalfe, noted the game’s turning point in the third quarter, attributed to strategic changes and impactful substitutes.

“Initially it was a really tight game, we were going goal for goal, it took until the third quarter for us to open it up and that was down to those players that came on made a real impact.
We managed to open up our attack end and confuse their defence and that was the turning point in the game that got us the win.”

Netball Scotland National league
© Craig Watson

She emphasised their potential to push forward and learn from previous experiences.

As the National League progresses, the competition promises to intensify further. Teams are focused on refining their strategies, strengthening their young talents, and addressing areas for improvement.

League Standings

National League table standings after 2 rounds

Join Us and Show Your Support!

We invite all our members and netball enthusiasts to come out and support their local teams in the upcoming National League matches. Your cheers and encouragement make a significant difference in motivating our players.

Let’s fill the stands with enthusiasm and unity as we witness thrilling netball action together!

Stay tuned for Round 3, where the competition heats up even more. Your presence makes a world of difference to our teams.

National League Round 3 fixtures

We are rounding up the thrilling highlights from Netball Scotland’s National League season opener

The buzz of excitement echoed through Emirates Arena in Glasgow yesterday, 22nd October, as Scotland’s premier netball league, the National League, commenced its fresh season.
As the top netball league in Scotland, its significance in growing the sport was evident from the performances on court and the passion off it.

As teams took to the court to set the tone for what promises to be a riveting contest the importance of this league in the elevation of netball in Scotland resonated with every pass, goal, and interception on the court.

Match Results:

Dunedin 35 – 43 Bellahouston

Edinburgh Accies 56 – 53 Saltires

Glasgow Uni 24 – 52 Edinburgh Uni

A Blend of Experience and Fresh Talent

The league showcases a diverse talent pool, from seasoned national players to the rising stars of tomorrow. With seven performance teams participating, the breadth of talent is vast. Notables like Emily Nicholl and Claire Maxwell, established figures in the national scene, share the court with up-and-coming talents like Jazmine Moore, from the U21 Scotland squad. This mix promises electric matches as seasoned professionals rub shoulders with university and club players eager to make their mark, gaining invaluable exposure in the process.

As emphasised by coaches and players alike, this league remains paramount in the growth and recognition of netball in Scotland.

Close Calls and Newfound Strengths

Saltires, bolstered by their performance, reduced the margin of their last meeting’s 13-goal loss against Edinburgh Accies to just three. Lucy Gaw, a U21 Scotland star and pivotal player for Saltires, reflected on their improved performance: “We just stuck our structures, played our own game and it was a really good physical game today.

I think a performance like that is great for us as a team heading into the National League this season; We have improved so much since last season; our last meeting was a 13-goal loss to Accies and this was just 3 today.”

Saltires Cat MacDonald moving the ball through the mid-court

Jo Pettitt of Edinburgh Accies resonated with the intensity of the competition: “It was a very close game from start to finish… I don’t think you can be surprised in the National League with teams putting up that number of goals; we knew they’ve had very strong shooters.”

Edinburgh Accies tip the game in their favour.

Rising to the Occasion

The sentiment of competition and growth was echoed by Edinburgh University’s Head Coach, Trish Wilcox, who stated, “Our goal this season is to be competitive against every team, this is the top competition in Scotland with the best players in the best clubs.” It’s evident that every match in this league is not just about the final whistle but about growth, exposure, and development.

Kelly Boyle, the Head Coach of Glasgow University, who recently transitioned into the role, commended her team’s resilience and adaptability: “Playing at this level in Scotland is what we want and it is what we need to develop so I am proud and we stood up to the challenge today.”

Looking Ahead

With the first round serving as an appetiser of the exciting clashes that await, teams, players, and fans are geared up for a season that promises unmatched intensity and skill. As each team progresses, it’s not just about the trophies but about laying the foundation for elite netball in Scotland.

Tickets for National League are coming soon. Be sure to follow us on socials so you don’t miss out!