National League 2 North

Last updated

National Two North
Founded1987;37 years ago (1987)
CountryFlag of England.svg  England
Number of teams14
Level on pyramid Level 4
Promotion to National League 1
Relegation to
Current champions Sedgley Park (1st title)
(2022–23
(promoted to National One)
Most championships Hull Ionians, Macclesfield (3 titles)
Website
Current: 2023–24 National League 2 North

National League 2 North is one of three level four leagues in the English rugby union system and provides semi-professional competition for teams in Northern England. The remainder of England is covered by the two counterpart leagues National League 2 East and National League 2 West. The champion club is promoted to National One. Relegation is to either the Regional 1 Midlands, Regional 1 North East or Regional 1 North West, depending on their location. Sedgley Park are the current champions.

Contents

Before September 2009, it was known as National Division Three North. From 2009 to 2010 the Rugby Football Union (RFU) expanded the league from fourteen to sixteen teams. Each team played thirty league games on a home and away basis. The 2019–20 season ended before all the matches were completed because of the coronavirus pandemic and the RFU used a best playing record formula to decide the final table. [1]

The RFU approved a new structure for the National Leagues from the 2022–23 season. The league is reduced to fourteen teams, there will be a two-week break over Christmas and protected weekend breaks through the season. The competition structure will be reviewed every three years. [2]

Structure

The league consists of fourteen teams and each play the others on a home and away basis, to make a total of 26 matches each. The champions are promoted to National League 1. The RFU will release details of relegation in the summer.

The results of the matches contribute points to the league as follows:

Current season

Participating teams and locations

League table

2023–24 National League 2 North Table
PlayedWonDrawnLostPoints forPoints againstPoints diffTry bonusLosing bonusPoints
1 Leeds Tykes 232201994409585211110
2 Rotherham Titans 232201827412415191108
3 Sheffield 23161670652917716385
4 Wharfedale 23150855743612111273
5 Fylde 23121107066109617572
6 Tynedale 23111116195635614767
7 Sheffield Tigers 2312110627650-2312264
8 Hull 2311111593688-959257
9 Otley 238015605676-7111851
10 Lymm 238114612773-1619447
11 Preston Grasshoppers 237115646775-12912547
12 Billingham 236215506691-1857338
13 Hull Ionians 234118554821-2678733
14 Huddersfield 2320215051024-5199219
  • 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: 23 March 2024
Source: National League 2 North RFU [13]

National Two North honours

List of National Two North honours
SeasonNo of teamsChampionsRunner–upRelegated teamsLeague name
1987–88 11 Rugby Durham City Solihull, Derby, Birkenhead Park Area League North
1988–89 11 Roundhay Broughton Park Birmingham Area League North
1989–90 11 Broughton Park Morley No relegation [a 1] Area League North
1990–91 13 Otley Lichfield Birmingham & Solihull, Stoke-on-Trent National 4 North
1991–92 13 Aspatria Hereford Vale of Lune, Northern National 4 North
1992–93 13 Harrogate Rotherham Towcestrians National 4 North
1993–94 10 Clifton Harrogate Sheffield (to 5 North), Sudbury (to 5 South)Courage National League 4 [a 2]
1994–95 10 Rotherham Reading Askeans (to 5 South), Broughton Park (to 5 North)Courage National League 4
1995–96 10 Exeter London Welsh [a 3] Aspatria (to 4 North), Plymouth Albion (to 4 South)Courage National League 4
1996–97 14 Worcester Birmingham & Solihull Stoke-on-Trent, Hereford National 4 North
1997–98 14 Birmingham & Solihull Manchester No relegationNational 2 North
1998–99 14 Preston Grasshoppers Stourbridge Winnington Park, Lichfield, Hinckley National 2 North
1999–00 14 Kendal Stourbridge Sheffield National 2 North
2000–01 14 Stourbridge Sedgley Park Walsall, Aspatria National 3 North
2001–02 14 Doncaster Dudley Kingswinford Whitchurch, Morley, Sandal, West Hartlepool National 3 North
2002–03 14 Nuneaton New Brighton Bedford Athletic, Broadstreet, Hull Ionians, Scunthorpe National 3 North
2003–04 14 Waterloo Halifax Preston Grasshoppers, Liverpool St Helens, Longton National 3 North
2004–05 14 Halifax Macclesfield Rugby Lions, Dudley Kingswinford, Bedford Athletic National 3 North
2005–06 14 Bradford & Bingley Nuneaton New Brighton, Kendal National 3 North
2006–07 14 Blaydon Tynedale Darlington, Cleckheaton, Orrell National 3 North
2007–08 14 Tynedale Darlington Mowden Park Morley, West Park St Helens, Beverley National 3 North
2008–09 14 Nuneaton Caldy Darlington Mowden Park, Halifax National 3 North
2009–10 16 Macclesfield Loughborough Students Waterloo, Bradford & Bingley National League 2 North
2010–11 16 Fylde Loughborough Students Morley, Rugby Lions, Manchester National League 2 North
2011–12 16 Loughborough Students Caldy Harrogate, Nuneaton, Kendal National League 2 North
2012–13 16 Hull Ionians Stourbridge Westoe, Stockport, Huddersfield National League 2 North
2013–14 16 Macclesfield Darlington Mowden Park Sheffield Tigers, Bromsgrove, Dudley Kingswinford National League 2 North
2014–15 16 Hull Ionians Ampthill Birmingham & Solihull, Hull, Stockport National League 2 North
2015–16 16 Macclesfield Sedgley Park Huddersfield, Broadstreet, Sandal National League 2 North
2016–17 16 Caldy Sale Preston Grasshoppers, Scunthorpe, Harrogate National League 2 North
2017–18 16 Sale FC Sedgley Park Sheffield, Blaydon, Luctonians National League 2 North
2018–19 16 Hull Ionians Chester Peterborough Lions, South Leicester, Macclesfield National League 2 North
2019–20 16 Caldy Fylde Scunthorpe, Preston Grasshoppers, Otley National League 2 North
2020–2116Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.National League 2 North
2021–22 16 Hull Sedgley Park No relegation owing to league reorganisationNational League 2 North
2022–23 14 Sedgley Park Fylde Blaydon and Harrogate National League 2 North [14]
2023–24 14 Huddersfield
Green backgrounds are promotion places.

Promotion play-offs

Until the 2018–19 season, there was a play-off between the league runners-up of National League 2 North and National League 2 South, for the third and final promotion place to National League 1. The team with the superior league record having home advantage in the tie. Southern teams have been more successful with fourteen wins to the northern teams four, while the home side has won thirteen teams to the away sides five.

National Two promotion play-off results
SeasonHome teamScoreAway teamVenueAttendance
2000–01 [15] Sedgley Park (N)40–23 Launceston (S) Park Lane, Whitefield, Greater Manchester 1,500
2001–02 [16] Launceston (S)26–0 Dudley Kingswinford (N)Polson Bridge, Launceston, Cornwall 2,500
2002–03 [17] Lydney (S)21–7 New Brighton (N)Regentsholme, Lydney, Gloucestershire
2003–04 [18] [19] Halifax (N)16–18 Launceston (S)Ovenden Park, Halifax, West Yorkshire
2004-05 [20] Redruth (S)33–14 Macclesfield (N)The Recreation Ground, Redruth, Cornwall 4,000
2005–06 [21] [22] North Walsham (S)5–15 Nuneaton (N)Norwich Road, Scottow, Norfolk 1,302
2006–07 [23] [24] Westcombe Park (S)36–20 Tynedale (N)Goddington Dene, Orpington, Greater London 1,700 [25]
2007–08 [26] [27] Cinderford (S)15–14 Darlington Mowden Park (N)Dockham Road, Cinderford, Gloucestershire 2,800
2008–09No promotion play-offs this season due to the restructuring of the English rugby union league system, with only the champions of each division promoted. [28]
2009–10 [29] [30] Loughborough Students (N)21–43 Rosslyn Park (S)Loughborough University Stadium, Loughborough, Leicestershire 1,000
2010–11 [31] [32] Jersey (S)30–5 Loughborough Students (N) St. Peter, Saint Peter, Jersey 3,100
2011–12 [33] [34] Richmond (S)20–13 (aet) Caldy (N) Athletic Ground, Richmond, Greater London 1,600
2012–13 [35] Stourbridge (N)26–28 Worthing Raiders (S)Stourton Park, Stourbridge, West Midlands 925
2013–14 [36] Darlington Mowden Park (N)30–28 (aet) Ampthill (S) The Northern Echo Arena, Darlington, County Durham 975
2014–15 [37] [38] Ampthill (N)19–10 Bishop's Stortford (S)Dillingham Park, Ampthill, Bedfordshire 1,253
2015–16 [39] [40] Old Albanian (S)24–0 Sedgley Park (N)Woollam Playing Fields, St Albans, Hertfordshire 473
2016–17 Sale FC (N)14–19 Old Elthamians (S) Heywood Road, Sale, Greater Manchester 1,297
2017–18 Chinnor (S)40–31 Sedgley Park (N)Kingsey Road, Thame, Oxfordshire 1,378
2018–19 Canterbury (S)19–10 Chester (N)The Marine Travel Ground, Canterbury, Kent 1,114
2019–20Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. Best ranked runner-up – Tonbridge Juddians (S) promoted.
2020–21Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.
2021–22Cancelled due the reorganisation of tier three and four national leagues.
Green background represent the promoted teams. (N) stands for the northern teams and (S) stands for the southern teams.

Number of league titles

Original teams

When club rugby began in 1987 this division was called Area 4 North and contained the following teams:

League format since 1987

Format of fourth tier rugby union leagues in England
YearNameNo of teamsNo of matches
1987–93Area League North
Area League South		1110
1993–96National Division Four1018
1996–97National Four North
National Four South		1426
1997–00National Division 2 North
National Division 2 South		1426
2000–09National Division Three North
National Division Three South		1426
2009–22National League 2 North
National League 2 South		1630
2022–National Two East
National Two North
National Two West		1426

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 northern league had only 11 teams playing 10 games each, compared to 14 teams in 1996–97 playing 26 games (home & away), going up to 16 teams in 2009–10 playing 30 games each). Attendance records are from 2000 onwards unless otherwise specified. All records are up to date up till the end of the 2019–20 season.

League records

Hull Ionians (2012–13, 2014–15, 2018–19)
Macclesfield (2009–10, 2013–14, 2015–16)
Hull Ionians (2012–13, 2014–15, 2018–19)
Nuneaton (2002–03, 2005–06, 2008–09)
Macclesfield (2009–10, 2013–14, 2015–16)
Morley (2001–02, 2007–08, 2010–11)
Sheffield (1993–94, 1999–00, 2017–18)
Scunthorpe (2002–03, 2016–17, 2019–20)
Hull Ionians (2014–15)
Manchester (2010–11)
Fylde (2010–11)
Manchester (2010–11)
Manchester (2010–11)
Kendal (1999–00) [41]
Fylde (2010–11)
Manchester (2010–11)
Hull Ionians (2012–13)
Manchester (2010–11)
Dudley Kingswinford (2013-14)
Huddersfield (2019–20)
Sedgley Park (2017–18)

Match records

Blaydon at home to Orrell on 24 March 2007 (2006–07) [42]
Fylde away to Orrell on 31 March 2007 (2006–07) [43]
Blaydon at home to Orrell on 24 March 2007 (2006–07) [42]
Blaydon at home to Orrell on 24 March 2007 (2006–07)
Fylde at home to Manchester on 16 April 2011 (2010–11)
Blaydon at home to Orrell on 24 March 2007 (2006–07)
Luctonians at home to Birmingham & Solihull on 15 November 2014 (2014–15)
Fylde at home to Preston Grasshoppers on 7 January 2006 (2005–06)
Nuneaton at home to Macclesfield on 11 October 2008 and away to Bradford & Bingley on 29 November 2008 (both 2008–09)
Wharfedale at home to Scunthorpe on 19 November 2016 and Wharfedale at home to Luctonians on 28 January 2017 (both 2016–17)

Player records

Flag of England.svg Tom Rhodes for Bradford & Bingley (2004–05, 2005–06)
Flag of England.svg Chris Johnson for Huddersfield (2010–11, 2011–12)
Flag of England.svg Lewis Mininkin for Hull Ionians (2015–16, 2018–19)
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Gavin Roberts for Caldy (2008–09, 2019–20)
Flag of England.svg Nick Royle for Fylde (2006–07) and Caldy (2015–16, 2016–17)
Flag of England.svg Ross Winney for Macclesfield (2009–10)
Flag of England.svg Gareth Collins for Leicester Lions (2010–11)
Flag of England.svg Ryan Parkinson for Macclesfield (2013–14)
Flag of England.svg Nick Royle for Caldy (2016–17)
Flag of England.svg Ross Winney for Macclesfield away to Waterloo on 30 January 2010 (2009–10)
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Anthony Mellalieu for Blaydon at home to Orrell on 24 March 2007 (2006–07)
Flag of England.svg Matt Donkin for Doncaster at home to Whitchurch on 10 November 2001 (2001–02)
Flag of England.svg Nick Royle for Fylde away to Orrell on 31 March 2007 (2006–07)
Flag of England.svg Dominic Moon for Preston Grasshoppers at home to Otley on 14 April 2012 (2011–12)
Flag of England.svg Louis Silver for Luctonians at home to Birmingham & Solihull on 15 November 2015 (2014–15)
Flag of England.svg Mike Scott for Fylde at home to Preston Grasshoppers on 7 January 2006 (2005–06)
Flag of England.svg Rickie Aley for Nuneaton at home to Macclesfield on 11 October 2008 and away to Bradford & Bingley on 29 November 2008 (both 2008–09)
Flag of England.svg Tom Barrett for Wharfedale at home to Scunthorpe on 19 November 2016 and at home to Luctonians on 28 January 2017 (both 2016–17)

Attendance records

Darlington Mowden Park at home to Macclesfield on 26 April 2014 (2013–14)
South Leicester at home to Sedgley Park on 30 March 2019 (2018–19)
Sedgley Park at home to Launceston (2000–01) [a 5]
Stourbridge at home to Worthing Raiders on 11 May 2013 (2012–13) [a 7]
Fylde (2010–11)
South Leicester (2018–19)

National League 2 North top 10 point scorers, all time

As of  the end of the games of 27 April 2019. Stats taken from 1998–99 season onwards and include regular league games only in National League 2 North (no promotion play-off games). Points scored includes tries, drop kicks, penalties and conversions. [44]
RankNatNameYearsClub(s)PointsAppsRatio
1 Flag of England.svg Jon Boden 2006–18 Leicester Lions 2,0592777.4
2 Flag of England.svg Chris Johnson 2008–12, 2018–19
2016–18		 Huddersfield
Sale 		1,92718710.3
3 Flag of England.svg Mark Ireland 2009–12
2013–14
2017–		 Kendal
Otley
Sheffield Tigers 		1,4791599.3
4 Flag of England.svg Stephen Collins 2010–11
2013–		 Fylde
Sedgley Park 		1,4701599.2
5 Flag of England.svg Richard Vasey 2009–17 Caldy 1,4491589.2
6 Flag of England.svg Ross Winney 2005–10 Macclesfield 1,29012610
7 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Gavin Roberts 2007–17, 2019– Caldy 1,2842325.5
8 Flag of England.svg Rickie Aley 2008–09
2015–18
2018–		 Nuneaton
South Leicester
Stourbridge 		1,12611010.2
9 Flag of England.svg Phillip Belgian 2001–08 Tynedale 1,0701169
10 Flag of England.svg Mark Bedworth 2001–05
2010–12		 Darlington Mowden Park
Westoe 		1,0521209

(Bold denotes players still playing in National League 2 North.)

National League 2 North top 10 try scorers, all time

As of  the end of the games of 27 April 2019. Stats taken from 1998–99 season onwards and include regular league games only in National League 2 North (no promotion play-off games). [45]
RankNatNameYearsClub(s)TriesAppsRatio
1 Flag of England.svg Nick Royle 2003–04
2005–11
2014–17, 2019–		 Liverpool St Helens
Fylde
Caldy 		1932120.9
2 Flag of England.svg Jamie Broadley 2009–11
2011–12, 2016–
2014-15		 Harrogate
Sheffield Tigers
Hull 		1571900.8
3 Flag of England.svg Gareth Collins 2004–05
2005–14		 Rugby Lions
Leicester Lions 		1522290.7
4 Flag of England.svg Andrew Riley 2013– Sedgley Park 1221710.7
5 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Gavin Roberts 2007–17 Caldy 1142320.5
6 Flag of England.svg Oliver Brennand 2004–11 Fylde 961020.9
7 Flag of England.svg Devon Constant 2014–19 Leicester Lions 881350.7
8 Flag of England.svg Andrew Soutar 2006–-08
2008–17		 West Park St Helens
Caldy 		832810.3
9 Flag of England.svg Peter Swatkins 2011– Sheffield Tigers 821480.6
Flag of England.svg Craig Ross 2007–08, 2009–11, 2013–14
2014–		 Caldy
Chester 		821650.5
Flag of England.svg Nicholas Sharpe 2006–07
2008–13, 2014–16, 2017–		 Rugby Lions
Huddersfield 		822610.3

(Bold denotes players still playing in National League 2 North.)

Notes

  1. ↑ As no northern teams from National 3 were relegated into the division, there was no relegation.
  2. ↑ This year there was a league restructure with a new league (Courage National League 4) becoming the new tier 4. Courage National 4 contained the previous season's top teams from National 4 North and National 4 South with the remaining teams joining lower tier teams as part of Courage League Division 5 (which retained the North/South divisions). This structure continued for until the end of 1996 when the league reverted to the old system.
  3. ↑ The top eight teams were all promoted to the re-organised, sixteen team, Courage League Division 3 for season 1996–97
  4. ↑ Rotherham's league title was won during the period when tier 4 was a single national league (1993-96).
  5. ↑ Note that promotion play-off games include stats for northern clubs only. Southern club attendances will be covered on the National League 2 South page.
  6. ↑ Note that due to poor attendance keeping by press and online sources means that only seasons from 2004–-05 onwards are included (apart from play-off games).
  7. ↑ This attendance is the lowest recorded but may not actually be the lowest as a couple of play-off games involving northern clubs have no attendance figures due to poor coverage. It is also worth noting than many Stourbridge fans felt the crowd was twice this large but this is the figure given in The Rugby Paper.

See also

Related Research Articles

North Premier was a level five league in the English rugby union system, with the fourteen teams drawn from across Northern England. The other leagues at this level were London & South East Premier, Midlands Premier and South West Premier. The RFU reorganised the level five leagues for season 2022–23, with an increase from four to six and reducing the teams in each from fourteen to twelve. The teams in this league now play in either Regional 1 North East or Regional 1 North West.

The 2007–08 National Division Three North was the eighth season of the fourth division (north) of the English domestic rugby union competition using the name National Division Three North. New teams to the division included Bradford & Bingley and Harrogate who were relegated from the 2006–07 National Division Two, while promoted teams included Caldy (champions) and Beverley (playoffs), both coming up from North Division 1, with no team from Midlands Division 1 as the winners of that league, Luton, went into National Division Three South instead. The league system was 4 points for a win, 2 points for a draw and additional bonus points being awarded for scoring 4 or more tries and/or losing within 7 points of the victorious team. In terms of promotion the league champions would go straight up into National Division Two while the runners up would have a one-game playoff against the runners up from National Division Three South for the final promotion place.

The 2006–07 National Division Three North was the seventh season of the fourth division (north) of the English domestic rugby union competition using the name National Division Three North. New teams to the division included Orrell who were relegated from the 2005–06 National Division Two while promoted teams included Rugby Lions who came up as champions of Midlands Division 1 as well as Morley (champions) and West Park St Helens who came up from North Division 1. The league system was 4 points for a win, 2 points for a draw and additional bonus points being awarded for scoring 4 or more tries and/or losing within 7 points of the victorious team. In terms of promotion the league champions would go straight up into National Division Two while the runners up would have a one-game playoff against the runners up from National Division Three South for the final promotion place.

The 2008–09 National Division Three North was the tenth and last season of the fourth division (north) of the English domestic rugby union competition using the name National Division Three North. The division was set to be re-branded National League 2 North for the following season due to an RFU reshuffle of the entire league system. New teams to the division included Halifax and Nuneaton who were relegated from the 2007–08 National Division Two while promoted sides included Loughborough Students who came up as champions of Midlands Division 1 along with Kendal (champions) Huddersfield (playoffs) coming up from North Division 1. A further, final change to the division saw Rugby Lions transfer across to 2008–09 National Division Three South as the most southerly side in the division in order to address a team imbalance between the two leagues. The league system was 4 points for a win, 2 points for a draw and additional bonus points being awarded for scoring 4 or more tries and/or losing within 7 points of the victorious team. In terms of promotion the league champions would go straight up into what would be known as National League 1 from 2009-10 but unlike previous years, there would be no promotion playoff between the runners up of the division and the runners up of National Division Three South due to the league restructuring.

The 2009–10 National League 2 North was the first season of the fourth tier (north) of the English domestic rugby union competitions since the professionalised format of the second division was introduced. Previously known as National Division 3 North, it had been renamed due to widespread changes to the league system by the RFU with National One becoming the Championship, National 2 becoming National 1 and so on. The league system was 4 points for a win, 2 points for a draw and additional bonus points being awarded for scoring 4 or more tries and/or losing within 7 points of the victorious team. In terms of promotion the league champions would go straight up into National League 1 while the runners up would have a one-game playoff against the runners up from National League 2 South for the final promotion place. A further change to the league system would see the division increase from 14 to 16 teams.

National One, up until 2023 known as National League 1 and previously known before September 2009 as National Division Two), is the third of three national leagues in the domestic rugby union competition of England. It was known as Courage League National Division Three when founded in 1987. Cambridge are the current champions.

The 2011–12 National League 1 is the third season of the third division of the English domestic rugby union competitions since the professionalised format of the second division was introduced. Birmingham & Solihull find themselves playing in this league following their relegation from the 2010-11 RFU Championship in the play-offs, whilst other newcomers to the league in this season are Ealing Trailfinders and Jersey, and Fylde, who won promotion to the league from the 2010–11 National League 2 South and 2010–11 National League 2 North respectively.

The 2012–13 National League 1 was the fourth season of the third tier of the English domestic rugby union competitions since the professionalised format of the second division was introduced. New teams to the division included Esher who were relegated from the 2011–12 RFU Championship, Loughborough Students who were promoted as champions from the 2011–12 National League 2 North along with Old Albanian (champions) and Richmond (playoffs) who came up from the 2011–12 National League 2 South.

The 2013–14 National League 2 North was the fourth season of the fourth tier (north) of the English domestic rugby union competitions since the professionalised format of the second division was introduced. The league system was 4 points for a win, 2 points for a draw and additional bonus points being awarded for scoring 4 or more tries and/or losing within 7 points of the victorious team. In terms of promotion the league champions would go straight up into National League 1 while the runners up would have a one-game playoff against the runners up from National League 2 South for the final promotion place.

The 2015–16 National League 2 North is the seventh season of the fourth tier of the English domestic rugby union competitions since the professionalised format of the second division was introduced. There was talk of this being the last season in this format due to RFU changes to tier four which were supposed to result in a restructuring of the league from two regional divisions to three for the 2016–17 season but this seems to have been put on hold due to protests from the northern clubs who stood to lose revenue from a smaller fixture list.

The 2004–05 National Division Three North was the fifth season of the fourth division (north) of the English domestic rugby union competition using the name National Division Three North. New teams to the division included Rugby Lions who were relegated from the 2003–04 National Division Two while Bedford Athletic were promoted as champions of Midlands Division 1 along with Bradford & Bingley (champions) and Cleckheaton (playoffs) who both came up from North Division 1. The season would also see the introduction of a new points system with 4 points being awarded for a win, 2 points being awarded for a draw with the addition of a bonus point being given for scoring 4 or more tries as well as a bonus point given if you manage to lose a game within 7 points of the victorious team. In terms of promotion the league champions would go straight up into National Division Two while the runners up would have a one-game playoff against the runners up from National Division Three South for the final promotion place.

The 2005–06 National Division Three North was the sixth season of the fourth division (north) of the English domestic rugby union competition using the name National Division Three North. New teams to the division included Nuneaton who were relegated from the 2004–05 National Division Two while Leicester Lions came up as champions of Midlands Division 1 along with Preston Grasshoppers (champions) and Hull Ionians (playoffs) who were promoted from North Division 1. The league system was 4 points for a win, 2 points for a draw and additional bonus points being awarded for scoring 4 or more tries and/or losing within 7 points of the victorious team. In terms of promotion the league champions would go straight up into National Division Two while the runners up would have a one-game playoff against the runners up from National Division Three South for the final promotion place.

The 2010–11 National League 2 North was the second season of the fourth tier (north) of the English domestic rugby union competitions since the professionalised format of the second division was introduced. The league system was 4 points for a win, 2 points for a draw and additional bonus points being awarded for scoring 4 or more tries and/or losing within 7 points of the victorious team. In terms of promotion the league champions would go straight up into National League 1 while the runners up would have a one-game playoff against the runners up from National League 2 South for the final promotion place.

The 2017–18 National League 2 North is the ninth season of the fourth tier (north) of the English domestic rugby union competitions since the professionalised format of the second division was introduced.

The 2017–18 National League 1, known for sponsorship reasons as the SSE National League 1 is the ninth season of the third tier of the English rugby union system, since the professionalised format of the second tier RFU Championship was introduced; and is the 31st season since league rugby began in 1987.

The 2018–19 National League 2 North is the tenth season of the fourth tier (north) of the English domestic rugby union competitions since the professionalised format of the second division was introduced.

The 2018–19 National League 1, known for sponsorship reasons as the SSE National League 1, is the tenth season of the third tier of the English rugby union system, since the professionalised format of the second tier RFU Championship was introduced; and is the 32nd season since league rugby began in 1987.

The 2019–20 National League 2 North was the eleventh season of the fourth tier (north) of the English domestic rugby union competitions since the professionalised format of the second division was introduced.

The 2021–22 National League 2 North was the twelfth season of the fourth tier (north) of the English domestic rugby union competitions since the professionalised format of the second division was introduced.

The 2022–23 National League 2 North was the 35th season of the fourth tier (north) of the English domestic rugby union competitions; one of three at this level. The others are, the newly formed, National League 2 East and National League 2 West. Previously, there were two leagues at level four; this league and National League 2 South.

References

  1. ↑ "RFU ends the 2019/20 rugby season in England". EnglandRugby. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  2. ↑ "RFU approve future competition structure for 2022/23". ncarugby. 18 December 2020. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  3. ↑ "Billingham RUFC". Billingham Rugby Club. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  4. ↑ "Contact details". Fylde RFC. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  5. ↑ "Our Partners". Huddersfield Rugby Union Football Club. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  6. ↑ "Brantingham Park". Hull Ionians RUFC. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  7. ↑ "Contact". Otley Rugby Club. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  8. ↑ "Clifton Lane: The Perfect Function Room Venue". Titans Rugby. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  9. ↑ "Abbeydale Park". Sheffield RUFC. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  10. ↑ "Directions". Sheffield Tigers RUFC. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  11. ↑ "Tynedale RFC". Tynedale Rugby Football Club. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  12. ↑ "The Avenue Clubhouse Bar". Wharfedale RUFC. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  13. ↑ "National League 2 North". England Rugby.
  14. ↑ "National League 2 North 2022/23 – Points Table". National League Rugby. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  15. ↑ "National League 3 Playoffs 2000-01". englandrugby.com. 26 May 2001.
  16. ↑ "Rugby Union: National Three Play-off - DK's dream shattered by Launceston power show; Launceston 26 Dudley Kingswinf'rd 0". Birmingham Post & Mail. 29 April 2002.
  17. ↑ "National League Playoffs 2002-03". englandrugby.com. 26 April 2003.
  18. ↑ "National League Playoffs 2003-04". englandrugby.com. 15 May 2004.
  19. ↑ "Play-off agony for Halifax". Yorkshire Post. 17 May 2004.
  20. ↑ "The 2004-2005 league season". trelawnysarmy.org. 1 May 2005.
  21. ↑ "North Walsham 6-15 Nuneaton". BBC. 17 May 2006.
  22. ↑ "National League Playoffs 2005-06". englandrugby.com. 13 May 2006.
  23. ↑ "NINE-MINUTE BLITZ ENDS TYNEDALE'S DREAMS". News and Star. 4 May 2007.
  24. ↑ "National League Playoffs 2006-07". englandrugby.com. 28 April 2006.
  25. ↑ "Level 6". Rolling Maul. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  26. ↑ "National League Play Offs 2007-08". englandrugby.com. 26 April 2008.
  27. ↑ "Foresters play-off win 'no fluke'". BBC News. 30 April 2008.
  28. ↑ "Championship plan gains support". BBC News. 14 November 2008.
  29. ↑ "Party time for Rosslyn Park". Richmond and Twickenham Times. 21 May 2010.
  30. ↑ "Students miss out on promotion in heartbreaker". Loughborough Echo. 21 May 2010.
  31. ↑ "SSE National League Playoffs". englandrugby.com. 5 May 2011.
  32. ↑ "Jersey beat Loughborough in play-off final". BBC. 28 May 2011.
  33. ↑ "Heartbreak for Caldy as they lose National League Two play-off final against Richmond". Liverpool Echo. 7 May 2012.
  34. ↑ "Richmond v Caldy play off". Rolling Maul. 5 May 2012.
  35. ↑ "Results - SSE National League 2S". The Rugby Paper. 12 May 2013. p. 32.
  36. ↑ Craggs, Andy (3 May 2014). "DMPRFC 30 - Ampthill RFC 28". DMP. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  37. ↑ "Ampthill in 'dreamland' after play-off final victory". Bedfordshire News. 2 May 2015.
  38. ↑ "National League 2 Playoffs". The RUGBYPaper. No. 346. Rugby Paper Ltd. 3 May 2015. pp. 24 & 32.
  39. ↑ "Old Albanian back in National One after play-off win secures promotion". The Herts Advertiser. 16 May 2016.
  40. ↑ "National League 2 play-off". The RUGBYPaper. No. 400. Rugby Paper Ltd. 15 May 2016. pp. 26 & 36.
  41. ↑ "Jewson National League 2 1999/00". rugbyarchive.net. 1 December 2015.
  42. 1 2 "Blaydon proving a point". Chronicle Live. 27 March 2007.
  43. ↑ "Orrell 0, Fylde RU 106". Blackpool Gazette. 2 April 2007.
  44. ↑ "National Two North All time leading scorers". Rugby Statbunker. 27 April 2019.
  45. ↑ "National Two North All time try scorers". Rugby Statbunker. 27 April 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.