1996–97 Courage League National Division Three

The 1996–97 Courage League National Division Three was the tenth full season of rugby union within the third tier of the English league system, currently known as National League 1. Exeter won a title for the second season in succession, following last seasons National League 4 title. The runner-up, Fylde, finished one point behind Exeter and were also promoted. Four teams were relegated; Walsall to National 2 North and Havant, Redruth and Clifton to National 2 South.

1996–97 Courage League National Division Three
Countries England
ChampionsExeter (1st title)
Runners-upFylde (also promoted)
RelegatedWalsall, Havant, Redruth, Clifton
Matches played240

Structure

The league consists of sixteen teams, playing each other on a home and away basis to make a total of thirty matches for each team. There are two promotion places and four relegation places, with the champions and runner-up promoted to National League 2 and the last four teams relegated to either National Division 4 North or South, depending on their location.[1][2]

Participating teams and locations
1996–97 Courage League National Division Three teams in England

National Division Three was increased from ten teams to sixteen with six of the clubs participating in last seasons competition. To make up the numbers the top eight teams in National Division Four were all promoted; Lydney and Wharfedale, as champions of National League 5 South and National League 5 North respectively were also promoted, from the fifth to the third tier.

Team Ground Capacity City/Area Previous season
CliftonStation Road2,500Cribbs Causeway, Henbury, BristolPromoted from Division 4 (6th)
ExeterCounty Ground5,200Exeter, DevonPromoted from Division 4 (champions)
FyldeWoodlands9,000Lytham St Annes, Lancashire10th
HarrogateClaro RoadHarrogate, North Yorkshire6th
HavantHook's Lane1,500Havant, HampshirePromoted from Division 4 (8th)
LeedsHeadingley Stadium22,250Headingley, Leeds, West YorkshirePromoted from Division 4 (5th)
Liverpool St HelensMoss LaneSt Helens, MerseysidePromoted from Division 4 (3rd)
London WelshOld Deer Park5,850Richmond, LondonPromoted from Division 4 (runners up)
LydneyRegentsholm1,500Lydney, GloucestershirePromoted from National League 5 South (champions)
MorleyScatcherd LaneMorley, Leeds, West Yorkshire5th
OtleyCross Green5,000Otley, West Yorkshire8th
ReadingHolme ParkReading, BerkshirePromoted from Division 4 (champions)
RedruthRecreation Ground12,000Redruth, CornwallPromoted from Division 4 (7th)
Rosslyn ParkThe Rock2,000Roehampton, London9th
WalsallBroadway Ground1,150Walsall, West MidlandsPromoted from Division 4 (4th)
WharfedaleThe Avenue2,000Threshfield, North YorkshirePromoted from National League 5 North (champions)

League table
1996–97 Courage League National Division Three table
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1 Exeter (C) 30 25 0 5 923 443 +480 50 Promoted
2 Fylde 30 24 1 5 813 439 +374 49
3 Leeds 30 24 0 6 1209 432 +777 48
4 Morley 30 22 0 8 928 570 +358 44
5 Harrogate 30 18 0 12 832 599 +233 36
6 Reading 30 17 1 12 869 631 +238 35
7 Wharfedale 30 17 0 13 710 635 +75 34
8 Rosslyn Park 30 17 0 13 630 620 +10 34
9 Otley 30 13 0 17 720 766 −46 26
10 Lydney 30 13 0 17 668 766 −98 26
11 London Welsh 30 12 0 18 632 777 −145 24
12 Liverpool St Helens 30 9 0 21 665 827 −162 18
13 Walsall 30 8 0 22 640 980 −340 16 Relegated
14 Havant 30 8 0 22 580 954 −374 16
15 Redruth 30 8 0 22 565 1116 −551 16
16 Clifton 30 4 0 26 518 1347 −829 8
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. This was their tenth and final season of sponsorship.[2]

See also

References
  1. Mick Cleary and John Griffiths, ed. (1996). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1996–97 (25 ed.). London: Headline Book Publishing. pp. 150–163. ISBN 978-0-7472-7771-2.
  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. "Courage Clubs Championship 1996/97". Moseley Rugby Club. Archived from the original on 2015-03-16. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
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