National League 1
Current season or competition: | |
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Sport | Rugby union |
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Instituted | 1987 |
Number of teams | 16 |
Country |
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Holders | Coventry (3rd title) (2017–18) |
Most titles | Coventry, Otley (3 titles) |
Website | National League 1 |
National League 1, (which was known before September 2009 as National Division Two), is the third level of domestic rugby union competition in England. It was known as Courage League National Division Three when founded in 1987.[1] This is the lowest level of the English rugby union league system which is nationwide. The league consists of sixteen teams with all the teams playing each other on a home and away basis to make a total of thirty matches each. There is one promotion place and three relegation places. The champions are promoted to the Greene King IPA Championship and the bottom three teams are relegated to either National League 2 North or National League 2 South (formerly National Division Three North and South) depending on the geographical location of the team.
Current season
Participating teams and locations
Twelve of the sixteen teams participated in the preceding season's competition. The 2017–18 champions, Coventry, were promoted to the 2018–19 RFU Championship, swapping places with bottom club, Rotherham Titans, who were relegated from the 2017–18 RFU Championship.[2][3] Sides relegated from the 2017–18 National League 1 included Fylde and Hull Ionians (both National League 2 North) and Old Albanian (National League 2 South).[4][5][2]
Teams promoted into the division include Cinderford and FC, champions of 2017–18 National League 2 South and 2017–18 National League 2 North respectively, along with south runners up Chinnor who defeated the north's Sedgley Park in the promotion play-off.[6][7][8] Cinderford are returning to National League 1 after an absence of two seasons, while Sale FC and Chinnor are both playing at the highest league level in their history.
League table
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Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points for | Points against | Points diff | Try bonus | Losing bonus | Points | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Caldy | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 215 | 189 | 26 | 4 | 1 | 29 | ||||||
2 | Old Elthamians | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 254 | 215 | 39 | 5 | 1 | 28 | ||||||
3 | Blackheath | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 200 | 146 | 54 | 3 | 0 | 27 | ||||||
4 | Rotherham Titans | 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 250 | 189 | 61 | 5 | 2 | 27 | ||||||
5 | Rosslyn Park | 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 216 | 201 | 15 | 5 | 1 | 26 | ||||||
6 | Chinnor | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 188 | 177 | 11 | 4 | 3 | 25 | ||||||
7 | Ampthill | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 227 | 173 | 54 | 5 | 3 | 24 | ||||||
8 | Sale FC | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 238 | 238 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 23 | ||||||
9 | Darlington Mowden Park | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 221 | 227 | -6 | 6 | 1 | 23 | ||||||
10 | Plymouth Albion | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 157 | 153 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 22 | ||||||
11 | Cinderford | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 185 | 200 | -15 | 3 | 3 | 22 | ||||||
12 | Cambridge | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 177 | 191 | -14 | 2 | 3 | 19 | ||||||
13 | Bishop's Stortford | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 215 | 164 | 51 | 3 | 3 | 18 | ||||||
14 | Esher | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 148 | 214 | -66 | 2 | 2 | 16 | ||||||
15 | Birmingham Moseley | 8 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 197 | 264 | -67 | 3 | 5 | 12 | ||||||
16 | Loughborough Students | 8 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 168 | 315 | -147 | 3 | 1 | 8 | ||||||
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Green background is the promotion place. Pink background are relegation places. Updated: 20 October 2018 Source: "National League 1". NCA Rugby. |
History
When the rugby union leagues were introduced in 1987 the division was known as Courage League National Division Three. Ten years later, in 1997, the league was restructured and the Premiership was introduced, which consisted of the top two divisions. Therefore, National 3 became the top league outside of the Premiership structure, and was renamed as National 1. In 2000–01 the Premiership was reduced to a single division and National 1 was renamed National 2. Following the formation of the professional RFU Championship in 2009 the league, once again, became known as National League One, and is currently the lowest tier that is nationwide. The league previously consisted of fourteen clubs, but from 2009–10 increased to sixteen. Only one team is now promoted to the RFU Championship and since 2009–10 three teams are relegated to National League 2 North and/or National League 2 South depending on geographical location.
Summary of tier three format
Year | Name | No of teams | No of matches |
---|---|---|---|
1987–90 | Courage National 3 | 12 | 11 |
1990–92 | Courage National 3 | 13 | 12 |
1992–93 | Courage National 3 | 12 | 11 |
1993–96 | Courage National 3 | 10 | 18 |
1996–97 | Courage National 3 | 16 | 30 |
1997–2000 | Jewson National League 1 | 14 | 26 |
2000–09 | National Division 2 | 14 | 26 |
2009– | National Division 1 | 16 | 30 |
Original teams
When the league system was formed in 1987, the following teams participated in the league, which was known as National 3. Twenty-nine years on only two teams, Fylde and Plymouth Albion are currently playing at this level. (Updated to 2016–17)
- Birmingham — now Birmingham & Solihull, playing in National League 3 Midlands (5th tier)
- Exeter — now playing in the Premiership (1st tier)
- Fylde — currently playing in this division (3rd tier)
- Maidstone — now playing in London 1 South (6th tier)
- Metropolitan Police — now playing in Surrey 3 (11th tier)
- Morley — now playing in National League 3 North (5th tier)
- Nuneaton — now playing in National League 3 Midlands (5th tier)
- Plymouth Albion — currently playing in this division (3rd tier)
- Sheffield — now playing in National League 3 North (5th tier)
- Vale of Lune — now playing in North 1 West (6th tier)
- Wakefield — no longer participating in league rugby having disbanded in 2004
- West Hartlepool — now playing in North 1 East (6th tier)
List of champions
National Division Three
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Season | No of teams | No of matches | Champions | Runners-up | Relegated team(s) | Ref | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1987–88 | 12 | 11 | Wakefield | West Hartlepool | Morley, Birmingham | [9] | |||||||
1988–89 | 12 | 11 | Plymouth Albion | Rugby | Metropolitan Police, Maidstone | [10] | |||||||
1989–90 | 12 | 11 | London Scottish | Wakefield | London Welsh | [10] | |||||||
1990–91 | 13 | 12 | West Hartlepool | Morley | Metropolitan Police, Vale of Lune | [11] | |||||||
1991–92 | 13 | 12 | Richmond | Fylde | Nuneaton, Lydney | [12] | |||||||
1992–93 | 12 | 11 | Otley | Havant | Multiple teams[a 1] | [13] | |||||||
1993–94 | 10 | 18 | Coventry | Fylde | Havant, Redruth | [14] | |||||||
1994–95 | 10 | 18 | Bedford | Blackheath | Clifton, Exeter | [15] | |||||||
1995–96 | 10 | 18 | Coventry | Richmond[a 2] | Fylde in last place (no relegation) | [16] | |||||||
1996–97 | 16 | 30 | Exeter | Fylde | Walsall, Havant, Redruth, Clifton | [17] |
National League One
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Season | No of teams | No of matches | Champions | Runners-up | Relegated team(s) | Ref | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1997–98 | 14 | 26 | Worcester | Leeds Tykes[a 3] | No relegation | [18] | |||||||
1998–99 | 14 | 26 | Henley | Manchester | Morley, Liverpool St Helens | [19] | |||||||
1999–00 | 14 | 26 | Otley | Birmingham & Solihull | Reading, Blackheath | [20] | |||||||
National Division Two
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Season | No of teams | No of matches | Champions | Runners-up | Relegated team(s) | Ref | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2000–01 | 14 | 26 | Bracknell | Rugby | Camberley, Lydney, West Hartlepool | [21] | |||||||
2001–02 | 14 | 26 | Orrell | Plymouth Albion | Rosslyn Park, Waterloo, Preston Grasshoppers | [21] | |||||||
2002–03 | 14 | 26 | Penzance-Newlyn | Henley | Launceston, Kendal, Fylde | [22] | |||||||
2003–04 | 14 | 26 | Sedgley Park | Nottingham | Rugby, Lydney | [23] | |||||||
2004–05 | 14 | 26 | Doncaster | Newbury | Nuneaton, Bracknell, Rosslyn Park | [24] | |||||||
2005–06 | 14 | 26 | Moseley | Waterloo | Orrell | [25] | |||||||
2006–07 | 14 | 26 | Esher | Launceston | Bradford & Bingley, Barking, Harrogate | [26] | |||||||
2007–08 | 14 | 26 | Otley | Manchester | Nuneaton, Henley Hawks, Halifax | [27] | |||||||
2008–09 | 14 | 26 | Birmingham & Solihull | Cambridge | Westcombe Park, Southend, Mounts Bay, Waterloo | [28] | |||||||
National League One
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Season | No of teams | No of matches | Champions | Runners-up | Relegated team(s) | Ref | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2009–10 | 16 | 30 | Esher | London Scottish | Newbury, Nuneaton, Manchester | [29] | ||||||||
2010–11 | 16 | 30 | London Scottish | Barking | Redruth, Otley, Launceston | [30] | ||||||||
2011–12 | 16 | 30 | Jersey | Ealing Trailfinders | Birmingham & Solihull, Stourbridge, Barking | |||||||||
2012–13 | 16 | 30 | Ealing Trailfinders | Esher | Macclesfield, Sedgley Park, Cambridge | [31] | ||||||||
2013–14 | 16 | 30 | Doncaster Knights | Rosslyn Park | Henley Hawks, Worthing Raiders, Hull Ionians | [32] | ||||||||
2014–15 | 16 | 30 | Ealing Trailfinders | Rosslyn Park | Tynedale, Macclesfield, Old Albanian | |||||||||
2015–16 | 16 | 30 | Richmond | Hartpury College | Henley Hawks, Cinderford, Wharfedale | |||||||||
2016–17 | 16 | 30 | Hartpury College | Plymouth Albion | Macclesfield, Blaydon[a 4] | |||||||||
2017–18 | 16 | 30 | Coventry | Darlington Mowden Park | Fylde, Old Albanian, Hull Ionians | |||||||||
2018–19 | 16 | 30 | ||||||||||||
Green background are the promotion places. |
League results
League information | Start of season | End of season | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season | Name | Teams | Relegated to league | Promoted to league | Promoted from league | Relegated from league |
2000–01 | National Division Two | 14 |
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2001–02 | National Division Two | 14 | ||||
2002–03 | National Division Two | 14 | ||||
2003–04 | National Division Two | 14 | ||||
2004–05 | National Division Two | 14 | ||||
2005–06 | National Division Two | 14 | ||||
2006–07 | National Division Two | 14 | None |
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2007–08 | National Division Two | 14 |
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2008–09 | National Division Two | 14 |
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2009–10 | National League 1 | 16 | ||||
2010–11 | National League 1 | 16 | ||||
2011–12 | National League 1 | 16 | ||||
2012–13 | National League 1 | 16 | ||||
2013–14 | National League 1 | 16 | ||||
2014–15 | National League 1 | 16 | ||||
2015–16 | National League 1 | 16 | ||||
2016–17 | National League 1 | 16 | ||||
2017–18 | National League 1 | 16 | None
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2018–19 | National League 1 | 16 |
Number of league titles
- Coventry (3)
- Otley (3)
- Doncaster Knights (2)
- Ealing Trailfinders (2)
- Esher (2)
- London Scottish (2)
- Richmond (2)
- Bedford (1)
- Bracknell (1)
- Exeter (1)
- Hartpury College (1)
- Henley (1)
- Jersey (1)
- Moseley (1)
- Orrell (1)
- Penzance-Newlyn (1)[a 5]
- Plymouth Albion (1)
- Sedgley Park (1)
- Wakefield (1)
- West Hartlepool (1)
- Worcester (1)
Records
Note that all records are from 1996–97 season onwards as this is widely held as the dawn of professionalism across the English club game. It also offers a better comparison between seasons as the division team numbers are roughly equal (for example when league rugby union first started in 1987–88 the Courage League National Division Three had only 12 teams playing 11 games each, compared to 16 teams in 1996–97 playing 30 games (home & away)). Attendance records are from 2000 onwards unless otherwise specified. All records are up to date up till the end of the 2017–18 season.
League records
- Most titles: 3
- Most times promoted from division: 3
- Rugby Lions (1988–89, 1995–96, 2000–01)
- Fylde (1991–92, 1993–94, 1996–97)
- Otley (1992–93, 1999–00, 2007–08)
- Richmond (1991–92, 1995–96, 2015–16)
- Most times relegated from division: 4
- Most league points in a season: 148
- Least league points in a season: 0
- Most points scored in a season: 1,455
- Least points scored in a season: 114
- Most points conceded in a season: 2,626
- Least points conceded in a season: 299
- Henley Hawks (1998–99)[34]
- Best points difference (For/Against): 1,078
- Worst points difference (For/Against): –2,512
- Most games won in a season: 30
- Most games lost in a season: 30
- Most games drawn in a season: 4
- Most bonus points in a season: 28
Match records
- Largest home win:
- 124 – 5 Wharfedale at home to Manchester on 26 September 2009 (2009–10)
- Largest away win:
- 148 – 0 Esher away to Manchester on 5 September 2009 (2009–10)
- Most points scored in a match: 148
- Esher away to Manchester on 5 September 2009 (2009–10)
- Most tries scored in a match: 23
- Blaydon away to Manchester on 19 September 2009 (2009–10)
- Most conversions scored in a match: 19
- Esher away to Manchester on 5 September 2009 (2009–10)
- Most penalties scored in a match: 8
- Esher at home to Preston Grasshoppers on 1 December 2001 (2001–02)
- Stourbridge at home to Rosslyn Park on 25 October 2003 (2003–04)
- Hartpury College at home to Rosslyn Park on 9 April 2016 (2015–16)
- Most drop kicks scored in a match: 3
Player records
- Most times top points scorer: 2
Neil Hallett for Esher (2005–06, 2006–07)
- Most times top try scorer: 3
- Most points in a season: 399
- Most tries in a season: 42
- Most points in a match: 51
Sam Ulph for Esher away to Manchester on 5 September 2009 (2009–10)
- Most tries in a match: 7
Hugo Ellis for Rosslyn Park at home to Cambridge on 12 January 2013
- Most conversions in a match: 18
Sam Ulph for Esher away to Manchester on 5 September 2009 (2009–10)
- Most penalties in a match: 8
Jonathon Gregory for Esher at home to Preston Grasshoppers on 1 December 2001 (2001–02) Ben Harvey for Stourbridge at home to Rosslyn Park on 25 October 2003 (2003–04) Gareth Thompson for Hartpury College at home to Rosslyn Park on 9 April 2016 (2015–16)
- Most drop kicks in a match: 3
Chris Johnson for Fylde away to Esher on 13 February 2016 (2015–16)
Attendance records
- Highest attendance (league game): 3,758
- Coventry RFC at home to Hull Ionians on 28 April 2018 (2017–18)
- Lowest attendance (league game): 50
- West Hartlepool at home to Camberley on 31 March 2001 (2000–01)
- Highest average attendance (club): 2,206
- Lowest average attendance (club): 180
Top ten point scorers
- As of the end of the games of 12 May 2018. Stats taken from 1996–97 season onwards and include regular league games only in National League 1 (no cup games). Points scored includes tries, drop kicks, penalties and conversions.[35]
Rank | Nat | Name | Years | Club(s) | Points | Apps | Ratio |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Andrew Baggett | 2001–08 2008–17 | Wharfedale Blaydon | 1,707 | 409 | 4.2 | |
2 | Neil Hallett | 1999–02 2002–04 2004–10 2011–12 | Rosslyn Park Bracknell Esher Ealing Trailfinders | 1,440 | 181 | 8.0 | |
3 | Alastair Bressington | 2004–05 2005–10, 2010–12 2010 | Moseley Stourbridge Cinderford | 1,201 | 147 | 8.2 | |
4 | Lee Cholewa | 1996–97 1998–99, 2000–05 2005–07 2010–11 | Rotherham Harrogate London Welsh London Scottish | 1,168 | 146 | 8.0 | |
5 | Clifford Hodgson | 2012–2017[36] | Coventry | 1,024 | 109 | 9.4 | |
6 | Mark Bedworth | 2005–10 | Wharfedale | 1,024 | 114 | 9.0 | |
7 | Chris Johnson | 2012–16 | Fylde | 990 | 110 | 9.0 | |
8 | Ben Harvey | 1996–97 1999–00 2000–01 2001–05 | Richmond Worcester Warriors Moseley Stourbridge | 987 | 118 | 8.4 | |
9 | Jonathon Gregory | 1996–97 2000–04 | Richmond Esher | 970 | 84 | 11.5 | |
10 | Jonathon Davies | 1997–07 | Wharfedale | 946 | 198 | 4.8 | |
(Bold denotes players still playing in National League 1)
Top ten try scorers
- As of the end of the games of 12 May 2018. Stats taken from 1996–97 season onwards and include regular league games only in National League 1 (no cup games).[37]
Rank | Nat | Name | Years | Club(s) | Tries | Apps | Ratio |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | David Allen | 2004–17 | Blackheath | 147 | 277 | 0.5 | |
2 | Oliver Brennand | 2011–17 | Fylde | 117 | 161 | 0.7 | |
3 | Phil Chesters | 2011–13, 2014–15 | Ealing Trailfinders | 105 | 82 | 1.3 | |
4 | Hugo Ellis | 2012– | Rosslyn Park | 97 | 138 | 0.7 | |
5 | Chris Malherbe | 1998–99 2001–02 2002–11 | Camberley Kendal Wharfedale | 95 | 222 | 0.4 | |
6 | Jason Smithson | 2007–17 | Blaydon | 96 | 224 | 0.4 | |
7 | Andrew Hodgson | 1997–99, 2000–04, 2005–13, 2014–16 | Wharfedale | 95 | 264 | 0.4 | |
8 | Christoff Lombaard | 2006–07, 2008–10 2012–15, 16-17 | Cambridge Old Albanian | 81 | 151 | 0.5 | |
9 | Ed Smithies | 1999–07 | Harrogate | 77 | 187 | 0.4 | |
10 | Simon Horsfall | 2003–2008, 2009–13 | Wharfedale | 73 | 210 | 0.3 | |
(Bold denotes players still playing in National League 1)
Notes
- ↑ Sheffield, Leeds, Liverpool St Helens, Clifton, Aspatria, Askeans, Broughton Park and Plymouth Albion were the relegated teams. The large number of relegations was due to the restructuring of the league system for the 1993-94 season.
- ↑ Rugby and Rotherham were also promoted.
- ↑ London Welsh and Rugby were also promoted.
- ↑ Only 2 teams relegated at the end of the 2016-17 season instead of 3 due to London Welsh being expelled from the RFU Championship in January 2017.[33]
- ↑ Penzance & Newlyn are now known as the Cornish Pirates.
- ↑ Note that due to poor attendance keeping by press and online sources means that the 2000–01 and 2003–04 seasons are excluded from these statistics due to lack of information expect in the case of lowest recorded league game attendance.
See also
References
- ↑ Stephen Jones, ed. (1988). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1988–89. London: Rothmans Publications Ltd.
- 1 2 "Coventry 38 Hull Ionians 21". Coventry RFC. 28 April 2018.
- ↑ "Titans officially relegated after defeat". Rotherham Advertiser. 24 March 2018.
- ↑ "Fylde relegated whilst Coventry take a step closer to glory". NCA Rugby. 12 March 2018.
- ↑ "Brave Old Albanian lose battle with National One drop after Plymouth Albion loss". Herts Advertiser. 26 April 2018.
- ↑ "Brave Bury push champions Cinderford all the way in a thriller". East Anglian Daily Times. 22 April 2018.
- ↑ "Sale FC crowned champions, Blaydon suffer back to back relegations". NCA Rugby. 30 April 2018.
- ↑ "National Leagues". The RUGBYPaper (503). Rugby Paper Ltd. 6 May 2018. pp. 26 & 30.
- ↑ Stephen Jones, ed. (1988). Courage Leagues 1988–89. London: Queen Anne Press. ISBN 0356158845.
- 1 2 Tony Williams and Bill Mitchell, ed. (1990). Courage Clubs Championship. Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990–91. Horsham: Burlington Publishing Co Ltd. ISBN 1873057024.
- ↑ Stephen Jones, ed. (1991). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1991–92. London: Queen Anne Press. ISBN 0356202496.
- ↑ "Courage Club Championship 1991/92". Moseley Rugby club. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ↑ "Courage Clubs Championship-1992/93". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ↑ "Courage Clubs Championship 1993/94". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ↑ "Courage Club Championships 1994/95". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ↑ Mick Cleary, ed. (1996). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1996–97. London: Headline Book Publishing. ISBN 0747277710.
- ↑ Mick Cleary, ed. (1987). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1997–98. London: Headline Book Publishers. ISBN 074727732X.
- ↑ "1997/98: Jewson National Division (formerly Courage League National Division 3)". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ↑ Mick Cleary and John Griffiths, ed. (1999). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1999–2000. London: Headline Book Publishing. ISBN 0747275319.
- ↑ Stephen McCormack, ed. (2000). The Official RFU Club Directory 2000–2001. Harpenden: Queen Anne Press. ISBN 1852916273.
- 1 2 Stephen McCormack, ed. (2001). The Official RFU Club Directory 2001–2002. Harpender: Queen Anne Press. ISBN 1852916400.
- ↑ Stephen McCormack (2002). The Official RFU Club Directory 2002–2003. Harpenden: Queen Anne Press. ISBN 1852916451.
- ↑ "National Division 1 2003/04". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ↑ "2004/05: National League 2". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ↑ "2005/06: National League 2". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
- ↑ "2006/07: National League 2". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
- ↑ "2007/08: National League 2". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
- ↑ "2008/09: National League 2". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
- ↑ "2009/10: National League 1". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
- ↑ "Final League Tables 2010 – 2011". Trelawneys Army. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
- ↑ "English National League One Table". BBC. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
- ↑ "SSE National League 1". NCA. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
- ↑ "London Welsh: RFU refuses permission for Exiles to stay in Championship". BBC Sport. 24 January 2017.
- ↑ "Jewson National League 1 1998/99". rugbyarchive.net. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
- ↑ "National One All time leading scorers". Rugby Statbunker. 29 April 2017.
- ↑ "Team news for tomorrow – Coventry Rugby". www.coventryrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 2017-11-12.
- ↑ "National One All time try scorers". Rugby Statbunker. 29 April 2017.