2004 Rugby League National Leagues

The 2004 National Leagues (known as the LHF Healthplan National Leagues due to sponsorship)[1] are the second, third and fourth divisions of rugby league in the UK.

2004 National League
LeagueNational Leagues
National League One
ChampionsLeigh Centurions
League leadersLeigh Centurions
Promotion and relegation
Promoted from National League OneLeigh Centurions
Relegated to National League TwoKeighley Cougars
National League Two
ChampionsBarrow Raiders
Promotion and relegation
Promoted from National League TwoBarrow Raiders
National League Three
ChampionsCoventry Bears
League leadersCoventry Bears

National League One

National League One was won by Leigh Centurions, and won promotion to the Super League after defeating runners-up Whitehaven in the play-off final. Keighley Cougars were relegated to National League Two.

Table
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1 Leigh Centurions (P) 18 14 0 4 686 407 +279 28 Semi-final
2 Whitehaven 18 14 0 4 552 312 +240 28
3 Hull Kingston Rovers 18 10 0 8 466 428 +38 20 Elimination Semi-final
4 Oldham 18 10 0 8 482 503 −21 20
5 Featherstone Rovers 18 9 1 8 500 491 +9 19
6 Doncaster Dragons 18 9 1 8 468 502 −34 19
7 Batley Bulldogs 18 8 0 10 503 534 −31 16
8 Rochdale Hornets 18 7 1 10 472 587 −115 15
9 Halifax 18 7 0 11 426 482 −56 14 Qualification for National League Two Playoff Final
10 Keighley Cougars (R) 18 1 0 17 366 708 −342 2 Relegated to National League Two
Source:
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Points difference; 3) Number of points scored;
(P) Promoted; (R) Relegated

Play-offs

Grand Final
10 October 2004
Leigh Centurions 32 – 16 Whitehaven
Tries: Cooper (2), Turley, Martyn
Goals: Turley (6)
Drop goals: Turley (2), Martyn, Rowley
 [2]
 Tries: Wilson (2), Calvert
Goals: Nanyn (2)
Halton Stadium, Widnes
Attendance: 11,005[3]
Referee: Ronnie Laughton (Barnsley)

National League Two

National League Two was won by Barrow Raiders, and were automatically promoted to National League One. York City Knights reached the play-off final, but lost to Halifax, who retained their National League One status.

Table
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1 Barrow Raiders (P) 18 14 1 3 521 346 +175 29 Promoted to National League One
2 York City Knights 18 13 0 5 630 308 +322 26 Semi-final
3 Sheffield Eagles 18 12 0 6 569 340 +229 24 Elimination Semi-final
4 Swinton Lions 18 12 0 6 547 460 +87 24
5 Workington Town 18 10 0 8 597 479 +118 20
6 Hunslet Hawks 18 10 0 8 475 394 +81 20
7 Chorley Lynx 18 7 2 9 460 522 −62 16
8 London Skolars 18 3 1 14 361 583 −222 7
9 Dewsbury Rams 18 3 1 14 284 595 −311 7
10 Gateshead Thunder 18 1 0 17 298 715 −417 2
Source:
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Points difference; 3) Number of points scored;
(P) Promoted

National League Three

National League Three expanded to a 14-team league, but there was still no automatic promotion and relegation with National League Two. The league was won by Coventry Bears, who also went on to win the play-offs.

Table
Pos Club Pld W D L Pts for Pts agst Pts Qualification
1 Coventry Bears 20 17 0 3 831 385 34 Play-offs
2 Bradford Dudley Hill 20 16 0 4 942 317 32
3 Woolston Rovers (Warrington) 20 15 1 4 764 232 31
4 Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks 20 13 1 6 631 334 27
5 Bramley Buffaloes 20 13 1 6 592 368 27
6 Hemel Stags 20 13 0 7 721 424 26
7 St Albans Centurions 20 13 0 7 724 406 26
8 Birmingham Bulldogs 20 10 0 10 620 624 20
9 Underbank Rangers 20 9 1 10 671 519 19
10 South London Storm 20 8 2 10 496 510 18
11 Manchester Knights 20 5 0 15 467 625 10
12 Carlisle Centurions 20 3 0 17 290 498 6
13 Gateshead Storm 20 2 0 18 290 1041 4
14 Essex Eels 20 1 0 19 186 1492 2

Week 1

Bradford Dudley Hill 13–30 St Albans Centurions

Coventry Bears 32–26 Birmingham Bulldogs

Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks 38–6 Bramley Buffaloes

Woolston Rovers (Warrington) 36–32 Hemel Stags

Week 2

Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks 26–40 Bradford Dudley Hill

St Albans Centurions 18–26 Bramley Buffaloes

Week 3

Coventry Bears 32–18 Bramley Buffaloes

Woolston Rovers (Warrington) 32–18 Bradford Dudley Hill

Grand Final

Coventry Bears 48–24 Woolston Rovers (Warrington)

References
  1. http://rleague.com/news/New-sponsor-for-National-League_101602/National%5B%5D
  2. Wilson, Andy (11 October 2004). "Turley's record takes Leigh up". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  3. "Rugby League RKC". Retrieved 20 February 2024.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.