In an edge-of-your-seat National League final, Edinburgh Uni narrowly defeated Strathclyde Uni 45-44, securing their championship in a nail-biting showdown that had fans gripping their seats until the final whistle.
Intense Defence and Missed Opportunities
The game kicked off with high intensity, with both teams demonstrating why they were this year’s finalists. Claire Maxwell, Assistant Coach for Edinburgh Uni, noted at halftime the team’s defensive prowess, “We won lots of ball… it’s now about converting those turnovers. We’ve thrown a few of them away, so reducing our errors in that final feed is crucial.”
© Craig Watson
Strathclyde’s Captain, Lucy Holmes, reflected on their early momentum, “We wanted to play with intensity and consistency… we have to lift a little bit, be composed with the ball and with those momentum shifts.”
© Craig Watson
A Nail-Biter Finish
As the match progressed, the intensity only heightened, with both team’s neck-and-neck. Trish Wilcox, Head Coach of Edinburgh Uni, described the final minutes, “I held my breath for the last three minutes.”
“It was such an intense game, those are the games you want to play in, so I am so proud. Going undefeated for their entire season is such hard work and it just shows the commitment that they have.” She added.
© Craig Watson
Wilcox also praised the influence of Claire Maxwell, highlighting the strategic changes, ” “She has been so great at sharing her knowledge with our young players and I thought both of them – Jess Mitchell and Duki Sonuga– were able to change the momentum of the game.”
A Proud Yet Heartfelt Loss
On the other side, Frankie Doyle, Strathclyde’s Head Coach, acknowledged the vital role of the crowd, “The crowd were everything today; they became an extra player on the court.” Despite the loss, Doyle expressed immense pride in his team’s journey, “It’s disappointing to lose today but I couldn’t be prouder of how they performed.”
© Craig Watson
Celebration and Looking Ahead
The emotional and physical toll of such a tightly contested match was evident, and the pride in both teams’ efforts was clear. Claire Maxwell summed up the experience, “The game was physical, dynamic, fast-paced and those games are a credit to our sport. Thank you to the crowd for coming out and supporting our own league – the National League.”
© Craig Watson
As Edinburgh Uni celebrates this significant win, they look forward to carrying this momentum into the Scottish Cup Final on Saturday, buoyed by a season of undefeated play and a deep commitment to the sport.
Fans who missed the live action can relive this spectacular match on BBC iPlayer. With such a close score and high stakes, this final is one for the history books of Scottish netball.
