1995–96 Courage League National Division Three

The 1995–96 Courage League National Division Three was the ninth full season of rugby union within the third tier of the English league system, currently known as National League 1. Following relegation last season, Coventry won the division by three points to finish as champions and are promoted back to National Division Two. Richmond, as runner-up, was also promoted and owing to an increase in the number of teams in the above divisions, next season, Rugby and Rotherham were also promoted. There was no relegation because National Division Three will consist of sixteen teams next season.[2]

1995–96 Courage League National Division Three
Countries England
ChampionsCoventry (2nd title)
Runners-upRichmond (also promoted)
Matches played90
Top point scorer215 Ralph Zoing (Harrogate)
Top try scorer12 Collin Phillips (Reading)[1]

Structure

The league consists of ten teams, playing each other on a home and away basis to make a total of eighteen matches for each team. There are usually two promotion places and two relegation places, with the champions and runner-up promoted to National League 2 and the last two teams relegated to National Division 4. Owing to a reorganisation of the league system four teams are promoted and none relegated this season.[2]

Participating teams and locations
1995–96 Courage League National Division Three teams in England

Six of the clubs participated in last seasons competition.

Team Ground Capacity City/Area Previous season
CoventryCoundon Road9,000Coventry, West MidlandsRelegated from Courage League Division 2 (10th)
FyldeWoodlands9,000Lytham St Annes, LancashireRelegated from Courage League Division 2 (9th)
HarrogateClaro RoadHarrogate, North Yorkshire7th
MorleyScatcherd LaneMorley, Leeds, West Yorkshire5th
OtleyCross Green5,000Otley, West Yorkshire6th
ReadingHolme ParkReading, BerkshirePromoted from Division 4 (champions)
RichmondAthletic Ground4,500Richmond, London8th
Rosslyn ParkThe Rock2,000Roehampton, London4th
RotherhamClifton Lane2,500Rotherham, South YorkshirePromoted from Division 4 (runners up)
RugbyWebb Ellis Road1,000Rugby, Warwickshire3rd

League table
1995–96 Courage League National Division Three table
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1 Coventry (C) 18 15 0 3 524 264 +260 30 Promoted
2 Richmond 18 13 1 4 476 266 +210 27
3 Rugby 18 12 1 5 395 284 +111 25
4 Rotherham 18 12 0 6 384 368 +16 24
5 Morley 18 9 2 7 336 328 +8 20
6 Harrogate 18 6 3 9 333 387 −54 15
7 Otley 18 6 1 11 278 441 −163 13
8 Reading 18 5 1 12 397 484 −87 11
9 Rosslyn Park 18 3 2 13 290 426 −136 8
10 Fylde 18 3 1 14 283 448 −165 7
Source: [3]
Rules for classification: Points are awarded as follows: 2 pts for a win, 1 pt for a draw, 0 pts for a loss. If teams are level at any stage, the following tiebreaker is applied: Difference between points for and against.
(C) Champions

Sponsorship

National Division Three is part of the Courage Clubs Championship and is sponsored by Courage Brewery.

See also

References
  1. McCormack, Stephen (2000). The Official RFU Club Directory 2000–2001. Harpenden: Queen Anne Press. pp. 313–319. ISBN 1 85291 627 3.
  2. Mick Cleary and John Griffiths, ed. (1996). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1996–97. London: Headline Book Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7472-7771-2.
  3. "Courage Clubs Championship 1995/96". Moseley Rugby Club. Archived from the original on 2015-03-16. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
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