1997–98 National League 2 South

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

1997–98 National League 2 South
Countries England
ChampionsCamberley (1st title)
Runners-upHenley (also promoted)
RelegatedNo relegation
Matches played182

At the end of the campaign Camberley were the league champions, finishing 3 points clear of runners up Henley Hawks, with both teams promoted 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 South teams in England
Team Ground Capacity City/Area Previous season
BarkingGoresbrook1,000Becontree, Dagenham, London3rd
Bridgwater & AlbionBath Road5,000Bridgwater, SomersetPromoted from South West 1 (champions)
CamberleyWatchettsCamberley, Surrey4th
CheltenhamNewlands ParkSoutham, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire5th
CliftonStation Road2,500Cribbs Causeway, Henbury, BristolRelegated from National 3 (16th)
EsherMolesey Road3,500Hersham, SurreyPromoted from London 1 (champions)
HavantHook's Lane1,500Havant, HampshireRelegated from National 3 (14th)
HenleyDry Leas4,000Henley-on-Thames, OxfordshireRunners up (not promoted)
Metropolitan PoliceImber CourtEast Molesey, Surrey7th
North WalshamNorwich Road1,200Scottow, Norfolk10th
Plymouth AlbionBeacon Park3,500Plymouth, Devon6th
RedruthRecreation Ground12,000Redruth, CornwallRelegated from National 3 (15th)
TabardCobden HillRadlett, Hertfordshire9th
Weston-super-MareRecreation Ground6,000Weston-super-Mare, Somerset8th

League table
1997–98 National League 2 South table
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1 Camberley (C) 26 23 1 2 803 372 +431 47 Promoted
2 Henley Hawks (P) 26 22 0 4 772 384 +388 44
3 Barking 26 20 0 6 762 450 +312 40
4 Esher 26 18 1 7 651 448 +203 37
5 Cheltenham 26 14 1 11 627 514 +113 29
6 Tabard 26 14 0 12 556 532 +24 28
7 North Walsham 26 12 1 13 431 373 +58 25
8 Bridgwater & Albion 26 12 0 14 535 664 −129 24
9 Redruth 26 10 0 16 720 580 +140 20
10 Weston-super-Mare 26 10 0 16 468 651 −183 20
11 Clifton 26 8 1 17 414 611 −197 17
12 Havant 26 8 1 17 388 643 −255 17
13 Plymouth Albion 26 6 0 20 472 756 −284 12
14 Metropolitan Police 26 2 0 24 320 941 −621 2[lower-alpha 1]
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 South 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 South 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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