HOLYROOD Sports Centre in Tollcross was to host Helensburgh's second match in the Glasgow league as they took on an experienced Cumbernauld team.

Helensburgh had to change their starting seven due to injuries sustained in last week's victory against Strathclyde Police.

Both wings were shuffled, with Angie Trail stepping in for the injured Tracey Mundie at wing attack and Sarah Short taking wing defence to enable Lyndsay King to cover goal defence for Hayley Oakes.

Helensburgh's defence was stretched as it struggled to cope with the height and static play of the Cumbernauld goal shooter.

Helensburgh's forward players worked well and created chances for the attackers to finish the first quarter 8-11.

A change in defensive tactics for the second quarter saw Short pick up the goal attack, which enabled Rhonda Phillips and Lyndsay King to double mark the goal shooter and concentrate on defending the Cumbernauld circle.

This switch in tactics saw Helensburgh gain vital interceptions, creating some well-worked possession and scoring 10 goals to reduce Cumbernauld's lead to 18-19 at half-time.

The third quarter saw a spirited performance from the mid-court players, with Karena Caskie and Trail linking well to control the play and create chances for Kelly Southgate and Lou Mundie.

The whole team upped their game and troubled the Cumbernauld defence with fast and accurate play that saw Helensburgh sneak into the lead 29-27.

Changes were made for the final quarter with Nicola Calderwood coming on to bolster the attack and Fiona Shaw making her debut at goalkeeper.

Both teams sensed that the win could be theirs as the pace of the game quickened.

After stretching Helensburgh's lead, Nicola Calderwood was injured in a challenge from the Cumbernauld defence. The experienced shooter could take no further part in the match and Southgate returned to take her place.

It took Helensburgh a couple of minutes to readjust and this proved enough of an incentive for Cumbernauld to pull back the score with the match finishing at 37-37.

A draw in a netball match is rare and it was a reflection of both sides determination to play good netball.

The squad would like to that Geraldine Wilkie and Hilary Sloan for their invaluable feedback and support as well as Lyndsay King for umpiring.

Player of the match: Sarah Short for excellent defensive and interlinking play and gallant attitude.

HELENSBURGH SQUAD: S Short, R Phillips, L Docherty, L King, K Caskie, A Trail, F Shaw, L Mundie, K Southwell, N Calderwood.

Meanwhile, Helensburgh Netball Club has moved premises to the new Lomond School Sports Hall (opposite the Rugby Club) on Monday October 12.

By securing new premises the club are now able to offer a fully recreational hour from 6.45pm until 8pm and development training from 8pm and 9.45pm.

Recreational training will be a 'pay and play' fun session. The format will include a warm up and then moving on to light-hearted games of netball. The later session will concentrate on player and squad development.

The club's coaching group will run the session focusing more on ball skills and the technical sides of netball. The games will be monitored by the club's qualified umpires. Each session will cost £3 per person and all levels of players are welcome. For more information please see www.helensburghnetballclub.co.uk or contact Lyndsay King on 07912183529.