Week 3 of the National League saw 30 matches played across the country, with a number of teams already looking to make moves in their divisions.
In the Women’s Premier Division, Santry Calypso and DVC Lions made it 3 wins out of 3, as they recorded 3-0 wins against Gardians and Munster Thunder respectively. They are both now a win clear of the chasing pack – with Thunder and Galway still looking for their first wins. In the Men’s Premier, only one team remains with a perfect record, and Dalkey Devils now have a lead at the top, being one of the few away winners in round 3, in a 3-0 win at UCD.
In Division 1, only a point separates the top four teams in the Women’s competition, but SETU Carlow are just in front, as they proved to be more than a match for Tallaght Rockets. Dalkey Devils, Balbriggan Flames and Santry Sparks are in the chasing pack, and now have daylight to Santry Rebels in 5th place. In the men’s competition, Balbriggan Broncos are top, but only by a point, as they recorded a win against Net Force. In second are Gardians Masters, but worth noting that all four D1M matches in this round went to five sets.
In Division 2, the women’s competition now has only one team with three wins out of three, and that record sits with IVI Vixens. They recorded a 3-1 win at Aer Lingus Kestrels in Group A. In second are UCD but they have a game in hand. In Group B, the two Santry teams sit at the top of the table, having both recorded 3-0 wins. Group C looks to be a more open affair, with Kilkenny Spartans current topping the table, but only with 5 points from 3 games, although made easy work of Celestials in a 3-0 win at Loreto Kilkenny.
In the Men’s Division 2 competition, group A looks already as if it is going to be closely-fought, with just 2 points separating first and sixth. It’s IVI who lead the way, ahead of Naas Pythons on Set Difference. Chasing them both are Impact Macroom and Tallaght Rockets, who have both won 2 out of 2 so far. In Group B, two teams have 3 wins of out of 3 so far, with BMP Titans and Balbriggan Tigers leading the way – both recording 3-1 wins over Jackals and Kildare Panthers respectively. At the other end of the table, it is Impact Stars and Celestials who have yet to register their first wins. Group C has two unbeaten teams at the opt, with Kilkenny Spartans ahead of BMP Hunters, but purely by virtue of winning three games to Hunters’ two.
Even though it’s early days, we’re already seeing a number of teams making a quick start to the season – can they keep that momentum going?
For a full break down of all competition results and tables, click here
