National League 1

National League 1
Current season or competition:
2018–19 National League 1
Sport Rugby union
Instituted 1987 (1987)
Number of teams 16
Country  England
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

2018–19 National League 1 Table
Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Try bonus Losing bonus Points
1Caldy8602215189264129
2Old Elthamians8512254215395128
3Blackheath8602200146543027
4Rotherham Titans8503250189615227
5Rosslyn Park8503216201155126
6Chinnor8413188177114325
7Ampthill8404227173545324
8Sale FC841323823804123
9Darlington Mowden Park8404221227-66123
10Plymouth Albion840415715343322
11Cinderford8404185200-153322
12Cambridge8314177191-142319
13Bishop's Stortford8305215164513318
14Esher8305148214-662216
15Birmingham Moseley8107197264-673512
16Loughborough Students8107168315-147318
  • If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
  1. Number of matches won
  2. Difference between points for and against
  3. Total number of points for
  4. Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
  5. Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
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
1987–90Courage National 31211
1990–92Courage National 31312
1992–93Courage National 31211
1993–96Courage National 31018
1996–97Courage National 31630
1997–2000Jewson National League 11426
2000–09National Division 21426
2009–National Division 11630

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)

List of champions

National Division Three

National Division Three
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated team(s) Ref
1987–881211WakefieldWest HartlepoolMorley, Birmingham[9]
1988–891211Plymouth Albion RugbyMetropolitan Police, Maidstone[10]
1989–901211London Scottish WakefieldLondon Welsh[10]
1990–911312West Hartlepool MorleyMetropolitan Police, Vale of Lune[11]
1991–921312RichmondFyldeNuneaton, Lydney[12]
1992–931211OtleyHavantMultiple teams[a 1][13]
1993–941018CoventryFyldeHavant, Redruth[14]
1994–951018BedfordBlackheathClifton, Exeter[15]
1995–961018CoventryRichmond[a 2]Fylde in last place (no relegation)[16]
1996–971630ExeterFyldeWalsall, Havant, Redruth, Clifton[17]

National League One

National League One
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated team(s) Ref
1997–981426WorcesterLeeds Tykes[a 3]No relegation[18]
1998–991426HenleyManchesterMorley, Liverpool St Helens[19]
1999–001426OtleyBirmingham & SolihullReading, Blackheath[20]

National Division Two

National Division Two
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated team(s) Ref
2000–011426BracknellRugbyCamberley, Lydney, West Hartlepool[21]
2001–021426OrrellPlymouth AlbionRosslyn Park, Waterloo, Preston Grasshoppers[21]
2002–031426Penzance-NewlynHenleyLaunceston, Kendal, Fylde[22]
2003–041426Sedgley ParkNottinghamRugby, Lydney[23]
2004–051426DoncasterNewburyNuneaton, Bracknell, Rosslyn Park[24]
2005–061426MoseleyWaterlooOrrell[25]
2006–071426EsherLauncestonBradford & Bingley, Barking, Harrogate[26]
2007–081426OtleyManchesterNuneaton, Henley Hawks, Halifax[27]
2008–091426Birmingham & SolihullCambridgeWestcombe Park, Southend, Mounts Bay, Waterloo[28]

National League One

National League One
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runners-up Relegated team(s) Ref
2009–101630EsherLondon ScottishNewbury, Nuneaton, Manchester[29]
2010–111630London ScottishBarkingRedruth, Otley, Launceston[30]
2011–121630JerseyEaling TrailfindersBirmingham & Solihull, Stourbridge, Barking
2012–131630Ealing TrailfindersEsherMacclesfield, Sedgley Park, Cambridge[31]
2013–141630Doncaster KnightsRosslyn ParkHenley Hawks, Worthing Raiders, Hull Ionians[32]
2014–151630Ealing TrailfindersRosslyn ParkTynedale, Macclesfield, Old Albanian
2015–161630RichmondHartpury CollegeHenley Hawks, Cinderford, Wharfedale
2016–171630Hartpury CollegePlymouth AlbionMacclesfield, Blaydon[a 4]
2017–181630CoventryDarlington Mowden ParkFylde, Old Albanian, Hull Ionians
2018–191630
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
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
  • Bradford & Bingley
  • Harrogate
2007–08 National Division Two 14
2008–09 National Division Two 14
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
    2018–19 National League 1 16

    Number of league titles

    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
    Otley (1992–93, 1999–00, 2007–08)
    Coventry (1993-94, 1995-96, 2017-18)
    • 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
    Nuneaton (1991–92, 2004–05, 2007–08, 2009–10)
    • Most league points in a season: 148
    Hartpury College (2016–17)
    • Least league points in a season: 0
    West Hartlepool (2000–01), Manchester (2009–10)
    • Most points scored in a season: 1,455
    Hartpury College (2016–17)
    • Least points scored in a season: 114
    Manchester (2009–10)
    • Most points conceded in a season: 2,626
    Manchester (2009–10)
    • Least points conceded in a season: 299
    Henley Hawks (1998–99)[34]
    • Best points difference (For/Against): 1,078
    Esher (2009–10)
    • Worst points difference (For/Against): –2,512
    Manchester (2009–10)
    • Most games won in a season: 30
    Hartpury College (2016–17)
    • Most games lost in a season: 30
    Manchester (2009–10)
    • Most games drawn in a season: 4
    Wharfedale (2005–06), Richmond (2012–13), Ampthill (2017–18)
    • Most bonus points in a season: 28
    Ealing Trailfinders (2014–15)
    Hartpury College (2016–17)

    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
    Fylde away to Esher on 13 February 2016 (2015–16)

    Player records

    • Most times top points scorer: 2
    England Neil Hallett for Esher (2005–06, 2006–07)
    • Most times top try scorer: 3
    England Phil Chesters for Ealing Trailfinders (2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15)
    • Most points in a season: 399
    England Sam Ulph for Esher (2009–10)
    • Most tries in a season: 42
    England Phil Chesters for Ealing Trailfinders (2011–12)
    • Most points in a match: 51
    England Sam Ulph for Esher away to Manchester on 5 September 2009 (2009–10)
    • Most tries in a match: 7
    England Hugo Ellis for Rosslyn Park at home to Cambridge on 12 January 2013
    • Most conversions in a match: 18
    England Sam Ulph for Esher away to Manchester on 5 September 2009 (2009–10)
    • Most penalties in a match: 8
    England Jonathon Gregory for Esher at home to Preston Grasshoppers on 1 December 2001 (2001–02)
    England Ben Harvey for Stourbridge at home to Rosslyn Park on 25 October 2003 (2003–04)
    Wales Gareth Thompson for Hartpury College at home to Rosslyn Park on 9 April 2016 (2015–16)
    • Most drop kicks in a match: 3
    England Chris Johnson for Fylde away to Esher on 13 February 2016 (2015–16)

    Attendance records

    [a 6]

    • 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
    Jersey (2011–12)
    • Lowest average attendance (club): 180
    Barking (2011–12)
    • Highest average attendance (season): 653 (2017–18)
    • Lowest average attendance (season): 463 (2004–05)

    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 England Andrew Baggett 2001–08
    2008–17    		Wharfedale
    Blaydon    		1,7074094.2
    2 England Neil Hallett 1999–02
    2002–04
    2004–10
    2011–12    		Rosslyn Park
    Bracknell
    Esher
    Ealing Trailfinders    		1,4401818.0
    3 England Alastair Bressington 2004–05
    2005–10, 2010–12
    2010    		Moseley
    Stourbridge
    Cinderford    		1,2011478.2
    4 England Lee Cholewa 1996–97
    1998–99, 2000–05
    2005–07
    2010–11    		Rotherham
    Harrogate
    London Welsh
    London Scottish    		1,1681468.0
    5 South Africa Clifford Hodgson 2012–2017[36]Coventry1,0241099.4
    6 England Mark Bedworth 2005–10Wharfedale1,0241149.0
    7 England Chris Johnson 2012–16Fylde9901109.0
    8 England Ben Harvey 1996–97
    1999–00
    2000–01
    2001–05    		Richmond
    Worcester Warriors
    Moseley
    Stourbridge    		9871188.4
    9 England Jonathon Gregory 1996–97
    2000–04    		Richmond
    Esher    		9708411.5
    10 England Jonathon Davies 1997–07Wharfedale9461984.8

    (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 England David Allen 2004–17Blackheath1472770.5
    2 England Oliver Brennand 2011–17Fylde1171610.7
    3 England Phil Chesters 2011–13, 2014–15Ealing Trailfinders105821.3
    4 England Hugo Ellis 2012–Rosslyn Park971380.7
    5 South Africa Chris Malherbe 1998–99
    2001–02
    2002–11    		Camberley
    Kendal
    Wharfedale    		952220.4
    6 England Jason Smithson 2007–17Blaydon962240.4
    7 England Andrew Hodgson 1997–99, 2000–04, 2005–13, 2014–16Wharfedale952640.4
    8 South Africa Christoff Lombaard 2006–07, 2008–10
    2012–15, 16-17    		Cambridge
    Old Albanian    		811510.5
    9 England Ed Smithies 1999–07Harrogate771870.4
    10 England Simon Horsfall 2003–2008, 2009–13Wharfedale732100.3

    (Bold denotes players still playing in National League 1)

    Notes

    1. ↑ 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.
    2. ↑ Rugby and Rotherham were also promoted.
    3. ↑ London Welsh and Rugby were also promoted.
    4. ↑ 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]
    5. ↑ Penzance & Newlyn are now known as the Cornish Pirates.
    6. ↑ 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

    1. ↑ Stephen Jones, ed. (1988). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1988–89. London: Rothmans Publications Ltd.
    2. 1 2 "Coventry 38 Hull Ionians 21". Coventry RFC. 28 April 2018.
    3. ↑ "Titans officially relegated after defeat". Rotherham Advertiser. 24 March 2018.
    4. ↑ "Fylde relegated whilst Coventry take a step closer to glory". NCA Rugby. 12 March 2018.
    5. ↑ "Brave Old Albanian lose battle with National One drop after Plymouth Albion loss". Herts Advertiser. 26 April 2018.
    6. ↑ "Brave Bury push champions Cinderford all the way in a thriller". East Anglian Daily Times. 22 April 2018.
    7. ↑ "Sale FC crowned champions, Blaydon suffer back to back relegations". NCA Rugby. 30 April 2018.
    8. ↑ "National Leagues". The RUGBYPaper (503). Rugby Paper Ltd. 6 May 2018. pp. 26 & 30.
    9. ↑ Stephen Jones, ed. (1988). Courage Leagues 1988–89. London: Queen Anne Press. ISBN 0356158845.
    10. 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.
    11. ↑ Stephen Jones, ed. (1991). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1991–92. London: Queen Anne Press. ISBN 0356202496.
    12. ↑ "Courage Club Championship 1991/92". Moseley Rugby club. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
    13. ↑ "Courage Clubs Championship-1992/93". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
    14. ↑ "Courage Clubs Championship 1993/94". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
    15. ↑ "Courage Club Championships 1994/95". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
    16. ↑ Mick Cleary, ed. (1996). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1996–97. London: Headline Book Publishing. ISBN 0747277710.
    17. ↑ Mick Cleary, ed. (1987). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1997–98. London: Headline Book Publishers. ISBN 074727732X.
    18. ↑ "1997/98: Jewson National Division (formerly Courage League National Division 3)". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
    19. ↑ Mick Cleary and John Griffiths, ed. (1999). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1999–2000. London: Headline Book Publishing. ISBN 0747275319.
    20. ↑ Stephen McCormack, ed. (2000). The Official RFU Club Directory 2000–2001. Harpenden: Queen Anne Press. ISBN 1852916273.
    21. 1 2 Stephen McCormack, ed. (2001). The Official RFU Club Directory 2001–2002. Harpender: Queen Anne Press. ISBN 1852916400.
    22. ↑ Stephen McCormack (2002). The Official RFU Club Directory 2002–2003. Harpenden: Queen Anne Press. ISBN 1852916451.
    23. ↑ "National Division 1 2003/04". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
    24. ↑ "2004/05: National League 2". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
    25. ↑ "2005/06: National League 2". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
    26. ↑ "2006/07: National League 2". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
    27. ↑ "2007/08: National League 2". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
    28. ↑ "2008/09: National League 2". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
    29. ↑ "2009/10: National League 1". Moseley Rugby Club. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
    30. ↑ "Final League Tables 2010 – 2011". Trelawneys Army. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
    31. ↑ "English National League One Table". BBC. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
    32. ↑ "SSE National League 1". NCA. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
    33. ↑ "London Welsh: RFU refuses permission for Exiles to stay in Championship". BBC Sport. 24 January 2017.
    34. ↑ "Jewson National League 1 1998/99". rugbyarchive.net. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
    35. ↑ "National One All time leading scorers". Rugby Statbunker. 29 April 2017.
    36. ↑ "Team news for tomorrow – Coventry Rugby". www.coventryrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 2017-11-12.
    37. ↑ "National One All time try scorers". Rugby Statbunker. 29 April 2017.
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