1997–98 National League 2 North

1997–98 National League 2 North
Countries  England
Champions Birmingham & Solihull (1st title)
Runners-up Manchester (also promoted)
Relegated No relegation
Matches played 182

The 1997–98 National League 2 North was the eleventh full season of rugby union within the fourth tier (north) of the English league system, previously known as Division 4 North, and was the first to be sponsored by Jewson who replaced former sponsor Courage. It is counterpart to National League 2 South, which covers the southern half of the country.

The title battle was keenly contested between Birmingham & Solihull and Manchester but in the end it was the West Midlands side that was triumphant, finishing two points clear to finish as champions. Both clubs would gain promotion to the 1998–99 National League 1.[1] There was no relegation this season in order to prevent an imbalance of teams in the leagues due to RFU changes for the following season which would see tier 2 increased from 12 to 14 teams and tier 3 reduced from 16 to 14 teams.[2][3]

Structure

Each team played home and away matches against each of the other teams, playing a total of twenty-six matches each. The league champions and runners up were promoted to National League 1. There was no relegation this season due to changes higher up in the English league system.

Participating teams and locations

League table

1997–98 National League 2 North Table
Club Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Points
1Birmingham & Solihull (C)26230380533447146
2Manchester (P)262123102947255744
3Kendal26182661935726238
4Preston Grasshoppers26142105494698030
5Sedgley Park26142106555956030
6Stourbridge26140126856058028
7Nuneaton2613013453570-11726
8Sandal2613112485547-6225
9Aspatria2611015524783-25922
10Sheffield26102145575391820
11Walsall269116539723-18419
12Hinckley266119429726-29713
13Winnington Park265021470750-28010
14Lichfield264121365694-3299
  • Points are awarded as follows:
  1. 2 pts for a win
  2. 1 pt for a draw
  3. 0 pts for a loss
  4. If teams are level at any stage, difference between points for and against applies

Green background are promotion places. Pink background are relegation places.
Updated: 22 January 2018

[1]

Sponsorship

National League 2 North is part of the Jewson National Leagues is sponsored by Jewson. It was the first year they would sponsor the league.

References

  1. 1 2 "Jewson National League 2 North 1997/98". The Rugby Archive. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  2. ↑ Mick Cleary and John Griffiths, ed. (1997). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1997–98 (26 ed.). London: Headline Book Publishing. pp. 87–100. ISBN 0 7472 7732 X.
  3. ↑ Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John (1998). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1998–99 (27th ed.). London: Headline Book Publishing. pp. 84–98. ISBN 0 7472 7653 6.
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