National League 2 South

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National League 2 South (known before September 2009 as National Division Three South) was a level four league in the English rugby union system until the end of season 2021–22. It was one of two leagues at this level, with its counterpart, National League 2 North, covering the north of England. The format of the league was changed at the beginning of the 2009–10 season following reorganisation by the Rugby Football Union. The champions were promoted to National League 1. The runner-up play in a promotion play-off with the runner-up of National League 2 North; the team with the best record having home advantage. The bottom three teams were relegated, to either South West Premier or London & South East Premier.[1] Esher are the current and final champions.

The 2019–20 season ended before all the matches were completed because of the coronavirus pandemic and the RFU used a best playing record formula to decide the final table.[2] Due to the ongoing pandemic, the 2020–21 season was cancelled.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) approved a new structure for the National Leagues from the 2022–23 season. Along with National League 1 and National League 2 North the size of the leagues at levels 3 and 4 are reduced to 14 teams (previously 16), there will be a two-week break over Christmas and protected weekend breaks through the season. The competition structure will be reviewed every three years.[3] As part of the restructure a third league was created at level four and most of the National League 2 South teams were placed into either National League 2 East or National League 2 West.[4]

Final season

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Eleven of the teams listed below participated in the 2019–20 National League 2 South season. The 2019–20 champions Taunton Titans and Tonbridge Juddians, who won the (virtual) promotion play-off against Caldy, were promoted into the 2021–22 National League 1, while Canterbury were relegated into the division from the 2019–20 National League 1. Sides relegated from the 2019–20 National League 2 South included Sutton & Epsom (to London & SE Premier), Bournemouth and Old Redcliffians (both to South West Premier).

The promoted teams were Barnstaple who come up as champions of South West Premier while Rochford Hundred (champions) and Guernsey Raiders (virtual play-off) came up from London & South East Premier. Hinckley were level transferred into the division from National League 2 North in order to address an imbalance of teams in National 2, with Taunton and Tonbridge Juddians being promoted and only Canterbury dropping down from National League 1.

Fifteen of the sixteen teams from 2021–22 were placed into one of the other level-four leagues for 2022–23. Barnes, Bury St. Edmunds, Canterbury, Guernsey Raiders, Henley Hawks, Old Albanian, Rochford Hundred, Westcliff and Worthing Raiders were transferred to the newly created National League 2 East while Barnstaple, Clifton, Dings Crusaders, Hinckley, Leicester Lions and Redruth were transferred to another new level-four league, National League 2 West. The 2021–22 champions, Esher, were promoted to National League 1. No teams were relegated to level five.


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2020–21

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020–21 season was cancelled.

List of champions

Area League South

Area League South honours
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runner-up Relegated team(s) Ref
1987–88 11 10 Askeans Sidcup Streatham/Croydon
1988–89 11 10 Lydney Havant Sidcup, Stroud, Ealing
1989–90 11 10 Metropolitan Police Clifton Salisbury

National 4 South

National 4 South honours
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runner-up Relegated team(s) Ref
1990–91 13 12 Redruth Basingstoke Cheltenham, Maidenhead
1991–92 13 12 Havant Basingstoke Ealing, Sidcup
1992–93 13 12 Sudbury London Welsh MultipleTemplate:Efn

National Division 4

National Division 4 honours
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runner-up Relegated team(s) Ref
1993–94 10 18 Clifton Harrogate Sheffield (to 5 North) and Sudbury (to 5 South)Template:Efn
1994–95 10 18 Rotherham[5] Reading Askeans (to 5 South) and Broughton Park (to 5 North)
1995–96 10 18 Exeter London WelshTemplate:Efn Aspatria (to 4 North) and Plymouth Albion (to 4 South)

Division 4 South

Division 4 South honours
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runner-up Relegated team(s) Ref
1996–97 14 26 Newbury Henley Askeans, Charlton Park, High Wycombe, Berry Hill

National 2 South

National 2 South honours
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runner-up Relegated team(s) Ref
1997–98 14 26 Camberley Henley No relegation
1998–99 14 26 Bracknell Esher Havant
1999–00 14 26 Esher Penzance & Newlyn Metropolitan Police, Norwich, Bridgwater & Albion

National Division 3 South

National Division 3 South honours
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runner-up Relegated team(s) Ref
2000–01 14 26 Plymouth Albion Launceston Cheltenham, Basingstoke, Weston-super-Mare, Reading [6]
2001–02 14 26 Penzance & Newlyn Launceston Cinderford, Clifton [7]
2002–03 14 26 Rosslyn Park Lydney Camberley, Havant
2003–04 14 26 Blackheath Launceston Old Colfeians, Basingstoke
2004–05 14 26 Barking Redruth Haywards Heath, Tabard, Weston-super-Mare [8]
2005–06 14 26 Cambridge North Walsham Bracknell, Reading
2006–07 14 26 Southend Westcombe Park Chinnor, Old Patesians, Hertford
2007–08 14 26 Mount's Bay Cinderford Luton, North Walsham, Clifton [9]
2008–09 14 26 London Scottish Rosslyn Park Havant, Chinnor

National League 2 South

National League 2 South honours
Season No of teams No of matches Champions Runner-up Relegated team(s) Ref
2009–10 15 28 Barking Rosslyn Park Bridgwater & Albion, Barnes Template:Efn
2010–11 16 30 Ealing Trailfinders Jersey Newbury, Hinckley, Canterbury
2011–12 16 30 Old Albanian Richmond Barnes, Hertford, Westcombe Park [10]
2012–13 15 28 Henley Hawks Worthing Raiders Barking, Lydney Template:Efn [11]
2013–14 16 30 Hartpury College Ampthill & District Exmouth, Bournemouth, London Irish Wild Geese
2014–15 16 30 Henley Hawks Bishop's Stortford Dings Crusaders, Shelford, Lydney
2015–16 16 30 Cambridge Old Albanian Launceston, Southend Saxons, Dorking
2016–17 16 30 Bishop's Stortford Old Elthamians Exmouth, BarnesTemplate:Efn
2017–18 16 30 Cinderford Chinnor Broadstreet, Wimbledon, Barnstaple
2018–19 16 30 Rams Canterbury London Irish Wild Geese, Guernsey, Birmingham & Solihull
2019–20 16 25Template:Efn Taunton Titans Tonbridge Juddians Bournemouth, Old Redcliffians, Sutton & Epsom
2020–21 16 Cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic
2021–22 16 30 Esher Redruth No relegation due to tier 3 and 4 league reorganisation
Green background are promotion places.

[12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20]

National Two promotion play-offs

Until the 2021–22 season there was a promotion play-off between the league runners-up of National League 2 North and National League 2 South for the third and final promotion place to National League 1. The team with the superior league record has home advantage. As of the end of the 2019–20 season the southern teams have been more successful with fourteen wins to the northern teams four, while the home side has won thirteen teams to the away sides five.

National Two promotion play-off results
Season Home team Score Away team Venue Attendance
2000–01[21] Sedgley Park (N) 40–23 Launceston (S) Park Lane, Whitefield, Greater Manchester 1,500
2001–02[22] Launceston (S) 26–0 Dudley Kingswinford (N) Polson Bridge, Launceston, Cornwall 2,500
2002–03[23] Lydney (S) 21–7 New Brighton (N) Regentsholme, Lydney, Gloucestershire
2003–04[24][25] Halifax (N) 16–18 Launceston (S) Ovenden Park, Halifax, West Yorkshire
2004–05[26] Redruth (S) 33–14 Macclesfield (N) The Recreation Ground, Redruth, Cornwall 4,000
2005–06[27][28] North Walsham (S) 5–15 Nuneaton (N) Norwich Road, Scottow, Norfolk 1,302
2006–07[29][30] Westcombe Park (S) 36–20 Tynedale (N) Goddington Dene, Orpington, Greater London 1,700[31]
2007–08[32][33] Cinderford (S) 15–14 Darlington Mowden Park (N) Dockham Road, Cinderford, Gloucestershire 2,800
2008–09 No promotion play-off due to the restructuring of the English rugby union league system. Only the champions of the two divisions were promoted.[34]
2009–10[35][36] Loughborough Students (N) 21–43 Rosslyn Park (S) Loughborough University Stadium, Loughborough, Leicestershire 1,000
2010–11[37][38] Jersey (S) 30–5 Loughborough Students (N) St. Peter, Saint Peter, Jersey 3,100
2011–12[39][40] Richmond (S) 20–13 (aet) Caldy (N) Athletic Ground, Richmond, Greater London 1,600
2012–13[41] Stourbridge (N) 26–28 Worthing Raiders (S) Stourton Park, Stourbridge, West Midlands 925
2013–14[42] Darlington Mowden Park (N) 30–28 (aet) Ampthill (S) The Northern Echo Arena, Darlington, County Durham 975
2014–15[43][44] Ampthill (N) 19–10 Bishop's Stortford (S) Dillingham Park, Ampthill, Bedfordshire 1,253
2015–16[45][46] Old Albanian (S) 24–0 Sedgley Park (N) Woollam Playing Fields, St Albans, Hertfordshire 473
2016–17 Sale FC (N) 14–19 Old Elthamians (S) Heywood Road, Sale, Greater Manchester 1,297
2017–18 Chinnor (S) 40–31 Sedgley Park (N) Kingsey Road, Thame, Oxfordshire 1,378
2018–19 Canterbury (S) 19–10 Chester (N) The Marine Travel Ground, Canterbury, Kent 1,114
2019–20 Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. Best ranked runner up – Tonbridge Juddians (S) promoted.
2020–21 Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.
2021–22 Cancelled due to tier 3 and 4 league reorganisation.
Green background represent promoted teams. (N) stands for National League 2 North while (S) stands for National League 2 South.

Number of league titles

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League format since 1987

Format of fourth tier rugby union leagues in England
Year Name No of teams No of matches
1987–93 Area League North
Area League South		 11 10
1993–96 National Division Four 10 18
1996–97 National Four North
National Four South		 14 26
1997–00 National Division 2 North
National Division 2 South		 14 26
2000–09 National Division Three North
National Division Three South		 14 26
2009–22 National League 2 North
National League 2 South		 16 30
2022– National Two East
National Two North
National Two West		 14 26

[12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [47][48] [49] [50] [20] [51] [52] [53]

Records

Note that all records are from 1996–97 season onwards as this is widely held as the dawn of professionalism across the English club game. It also offers a better comparison between seasons as the division team numbers are roughly equal (for example when league rugby union first started in 1987–88 the southern league had only 11 teams playing 10 games each, compared to 14 teams in 1996–97 playing 26 games (home & away), going up to 16 teams in 2009–10 playing 30 games each). Attendance records are from 2000 onwards unless otherwise specified. All records are up to date up till the end of the 2018–19 season.

League records

  • Most titles: 2
Barking (2004–05, 2009–10)
Henley Hawks (2012–13, 2014–15)
Cambridge (2005–06, 2015–16)
  • Most times promoted from division: 3
Henley Hawks (1997–98, 2012–13, 2014–15)
  • Most times relegated from division: 3
Havant (1998–99, 2002–03, 2008–09)
Barnes (2009–10, 2011–12, 2016–17)
  • Most league points in a season: 143
Cinderford (2017–18)
  • Fewest league points in a season: 0
Metropolitan Police (1999–00)[54]
Camberley (2002–03)
  • Most points scored in a season: 1,490
Ealing Trailfinders (2010–11)
  • Fewest points scored in a season: 270
Camberley (2002–03)
  • Most points conceded in a season: 2,055
Newbury Blues (2010–11)
  • Fewest points conceded in a season: 240
Plymouth Albion (2000–01)
  • Best points difference (For/Against): 1,066
Ealing Trailfinders (2010–11)
  • Worst points difference (For/Against):-1,676
Newbury Blues (2010–11)
  • Most games won in a season: 29
Cinderford (2017–18)
  • Most games lost in a season: 29
Newbury Blues (2010–11)
Launceston (2015–16)
  • Most games drawn in a season: 4
Rugby Lions (2008–09)
Barnes (2015–16)
  • Most bonus points in a season: 30
Bishop's Stortford (2014–15)

Match records

  • Largest home win: 132 – 0
Old Albanian at home to Newbury Blues on 26 March 2011 (2010–11)
  • Largest away win: 85 – 3
Henley Hawks away to Barking on 27 October 2012 (2012–13)
  • Most points scored in a match: 132
Old Albanian at home to Newbury Blues on 26 March 2011 (2010–11)
  • Most tries scored in a match: 20
Jersey at home to Newbury Blues on 6 November 2011 (2010–11)
Ealing Trailfinders at home to Hinckley on 12 March 2011 (2010–11)
Old Albanian at home to Newbury Blues on 26 March 2011 (2010–11)
  • Most conversions scored in a match: 16
Old Albanian at home to Newbury Blues on 26 March 2011 (2010–11)
Ealing Trailfinders at home to Lydney on 30 April 2011 (2010–11)
  • Most penalties scored in a match: 7
Blackheath at home to Redruth on 14 December 2002 (2002–03)
Hertford at home to Rosslyn Park on 30 September 2006 (2006–07)
Clifton at home to Lydney on 21 October 2006 (2006–07)
Dings Crusaders at home to Southend on 6 November 2011 (2010–11)
Launceston at home to Hartpury College on 28 September 2013 (2013–14)
Launceston away to Dings Crusaders on 27 September 2014 (2014–15)
  • Most drop kicks scored in a match: 3
Westcombe Park at home to Ealing Trailfinders on 5 December 2009 (2009–10)

Player records

  • Most times top points scorer: 3
Template:Flagicon Matthew McLean for Worthing Raiders (2011–12, 2017–18, 2018–19)
Template:Flagicon Gary Kingdom for Taunton Titans (2014–15, 2015–16, 2019–20)
  • Most times top try scorer: 2
Template:Flagicon Phil Chesters for Ealing Trailfinders (2009–10, 2010–11)
Template:Flagicon Ian Clark for Hartpury College (2011–12, 2012–13)
  • Most points in a season: 374
Template:Flagicon Nat Saumi for Penzance & Newlyn (2000–01)
  • Most tries in a season: 70
Template:Flagicon Phil Chesters for Ealing Trailfinders (2010–11))
  • Most points in a match: 45
Template:Flagicon Adam Westall for Lydney away to Haywards Heath on 12 March 2005 (2004–05)
  • Most tries in a match: 7
Template:Flagicon James O'Brien for Old Patesians at home to Old Colfeians on 27 March 2004 (2003–04)
Template:Flagicon Phil Chesters for Ealing Trailfinders at home to Newbury Blues on 2 October 2010 and at home to Lydney on 30 April 2011 (2010–11)
  • Most conversions in a match: 16
Template:Flagicon Richard Gregg for Old Albanian at home to Newbury Blues on 26 March 2011 (2010–11)
  • Most penalties in a match: 7
Template:Flagicon Jonathan Griffin for Blackheath at home to Redruth on 14 December 2002 (2002–03)
Template:Flagicon Kieron Davies for Hertford at home to Rosslyn Park on 30 September 2006 (2006–07)
Template:Flagicon John Barnes for Clifton at home to Lydney on 21 October 2006 (2006–07)
Template:Flagicon Mitch Burton for Dings Crusaders at home to Southend on 6 November 2011 (2010–-11)
Template:Flagicon Luke Cozens for Hartpury College away to Dings Crusaders on 17 November 2012 (2012–13)
Template:Flagicon Danial Trigg for Dings Crusaders away to Lydney on 1 December 2012 (2012–13)
Template:Flagicon Kieron Lewitt for Launceston away to Dings Crusaders on 27 September 2014 (2014–15)
  • Most drop kicks in a match: 3
Template:Flagicon Lee Audis for Westcombe Park at home to Ealing Trailfinders on 5 December 2009 (2009–10)

Attendance records

Template:Efn

  • Highest attendance (league game): 3,270
Henley Hawks at home to Worthing Raiders on 4 May 2013 (2012–13)
  • Lowest attendance (league game): 0
Tonbridge Juddians at home to Sutton & Epsom on 21 December 2019 (2019–20)
  • Highest attendance (promotion playoff): 4,000
Redruth at home to Macclesfield on 1 May 2005 (2004–05)
  • Lowest attendance (promotion playoff): 473
Old Albanian at home to Sedgley Park on 14 May 2016 (2015–16)
  • Highest average attendance (club): 1,281
Plymouth Albion (2000–01)
  • Lowest average attendance (club): 96
Old Patesians (2006–07)
  • Highest average attendance (season): 573 (2000–01)
  • Lowest average attendance (season): 292 (2009–10)

All time National League 2 South top 10 point scorers

As of the end of the games of 27 April 2019. Stats taken from 1998–99 season onwards and include regular league games only in National League 2 South (no promotion play-off games). Points scored includes tries, drop kicks, penalties and conversions.[55]Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Rank Nat Name Years Club(s) Points Apps Ratio
1 Template:Flagicon Matthew McLean 2008–13, 2014– Worthing Raiders 2,314 237 9.8
2 Template:Flagicon Gary Kingdom 2010– Taunton Titans 1,979 245 8.1
3 Template:Flagicon Adam Westall 2002–03, 2004–08
2008–10		 Lydney
Dings Crusaders		 1,368 130 11
4 Template:Flagicon Andy Frost 2005–07, 2009–13
2014–15		 Southend Saxons
Dorking		 1,302 117 11
5 Template:Flagicon Derek Coates 2000–03
2003-04		 Westcombe Park
Blackheath		 1,183 99 12
6 Template:Flagicon Kieron Lewitt 2007–09
2011–15		 Canterbury
Launceston		 1,134 131 9
7 Template:Flagicon James Comben 2009–13, 2014–15 Henley Hawks 924 103 9
8 Template:Flagicon Tom Best 2009–11
2012–		 Canterbury 858 202 4.2
9 Template:Flagicon Bradley Barnes 2012–14, 2015-
2014–15		 Clifton
Lydney		 830 168 4.9
10 Template:Flagicon Tom White 2014–17 Old Elthamians 778 85 9.2

(Bold denotes players still playing in National League 2 South)

All time National League 2 South top 10 try scorers

As of the end of the games of 27 April 2019. Stats taken from 1998–99 season onwards and include regular league games only in National League 2 South (no promotion play-off games).[56]Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Rank Nat Name Years Club(s) Tries Apps Ratio
1 Template:Flagicon Phil Chesters 2009–11
2017
2017–		 Ealing Trailfinders
Old Elthamians
Chinnor		 117 75 1.6
2 Template:Flagicon Matthew McLean 2008–13, 2014– Worthing Raiders 115 237 0.5
3 Template:Flagicon Andy Thorpe 2001–08 North Walsham 114 143 0.8
4 Template:Flagicon Michael Melford 2006–11, 2012–13 Canterbury 92 148 0.6
5 Template:Flagicon Mark Billings 2005–07, 2009–16 Southend 89 213 0.4
6 Template:Flagicon Alexander Nielsen 2008–13, 2014–17 Worthing Raiders 83 139 0.6
7 Template:Flagicon Owen Bruynseels 2007–11 Ealing Trailfinders 81 95 0.9
8 Template:Flagicon Nick Hankin 2013–17 Bishop's Stortford 80 119 0.7
Template:Flagicon Gert De Kock 2003–05
2006–11		 Westcombe Park
Canterbury		 80 166 0.5
Template:Flagicon William Pomphrey 2009– Clifton 80 175 0.5

(Bold denotes players still playing in National League 2 South)

Notes

Template:Notelist

See also

References

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External links

  • NCA Rugby Script error: No such module "webarchive".

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