1997–98 National League 2 North

The 1997–98 National League 2 North was the eleventh full season of rugby union within the fourth tier (north) of the English league system, previously known as Division 4 North, and was the first to be sponsored by Jewson who replaced former sponsor Courage. It is counterpart to National League 2 South, which covers the southern half of the country.

1997–98 National League 2 North
Countries England
ChampionsBirmingham & Solihull (1st title)
Runners-upManchester (also promoted)
RelegatedNo relegation
Matches played182

The title battle was keenly contested between Birmingham & Solihull and Manchester but in the end it was the West Midlands side that was triumphant, finishing two points clear to finish as champions. Both clubs would gain promotion to the 1998–99 National League 1.[1] There was no relegation this season in order to prevent an imbalance of teams in the leagues due to RFU changes for the following season which would see tier 2 increased from 12 to 14 teams and tier 3 reduced from 16 to 14 teams.[2][3]

Structure

Each team played home and away matches against each of the other teams, playing a total of twenty-six matches each. The league champions and runners up were promoted to National League 1. There was no relegation this season due to changes higher up in the English league system.

Participating teams and locations
1997–98 National League 2 North teams in England
Team Ground Capacity City/Area Previous season
AspatriaBower ParkAspatria, Cumbria10th
Birmingham & SolihullSharmans Cross2,500Solihull, West MidlandsRunners up (not promoted)
HinckleyLeicester Road2,000Hinckley, LeicestershirePromoted from Midlands 1 (champions)
KendalMint Bridge3,000Kendal, Cumbria9th
LichfieldCooke FieldsLichfield, Staffordshire11th
ManchesterGrove Park4,000Cheadle Hulme, Greater Manchester4th
NuneatonHarry Cleaver GroundNuneaton, Warwickshire12th
Preston GrasshoppersLightfoot Green5,000Preston, Lancashire3rd
SandalMilnthorpe GreenSandal Magna, Wakefield, West Yorkshire5th
Sedgley ParkPark Lane3,000Whitefield, Greater ManchesterPromoted from North 1 (champions)
SheffieldAbbeydale Park3,200Dore, Sheffield, South Yorkshire8th
StourbridgeStourton Park3,500Stourbridge, West Midlands6th
WalsallBroadway1,150Walsall, West MidlandsRelegated from National 3 (13th)
Winnington ParkBurrows HillNorthwich, Cheshire7th

League table
1997–98 National League 2 North table
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1 Birmingham & Solihull (C, P) 26 23 0 3 805 334 +471 46 Promoted
2 Manchester (P) 26 21 2 3 1029 472 +557 44
3 Kendal 26 18 2 6 619 357 +262 38
4 Preston Grasshoppers 26 14 2 10 549 469 +80 30
5 Sedgley Park 26 14 2 10 655 595 +60 30
6 Stourbridge 26 14 0 12 685 605 +80 28
7 Nuneaton 26 13 0 13 453 570 −117 26
8 Sandal 26 13 1 12 485 547 −62 25[lower-alpha 1]
9 Aspatria 26 11 0 15 524 783 −259 22
10 Sheffield 26 10 2 14 557 539 +18 20[lower-alpha 1]
11 Walsall 26 9 1 16 539 723 −184 19
12 Hinckley 26 6 1 19 429 726 −297 13
13 Winnington Park 26 5 0 21 470 750 −280 10
14 Lichfield 26 4 1 21 365 694 −329 9
Source: [1]
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, difference between points for and against applies.
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted
Notes:
  1. 2 points deducted

Sponsorship

National League 2 North is part of the Jewson National Leagues is sponsored by Jewson. It was the first year they would sponsor the league.

References
  1. "Jewson National League 2 North 1997/98". The Rugby Archive. Archived from the original on 30 December 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  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. Cleary, Mick; Griffiths, John (1998). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1998–99 (27th ed.). London: Headline Book Publishing. pp. 84–98. ISBN 0 7472 7653 6.
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